A very Rare Great War Submariner's DSM group of five medals awarded to Petty Officer Alfred...

A very Rare Great War Submariner's DSM group of five medals awarded to Petty Officer Alfred George Antram, serving aboard HM Submarine E-4, and believed the first D.S.M of the Great War, for his part in the first life-saving rescue by a submarine, at the Battle of Heligoland Bight on the 28th August, 1914. The DSM, one of 23 for the battle and the very first group gazetted, of which 10 have been identified as submariners, was presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 14th January, 1915. The Distinguised Service Medal was instituted on the 14th October, 1914 and as it is believed the awards were made at the investiture in alphabetical order, then Antram was not only the first D.S.M. to a submariner, but the first ever D.S.M. Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (223207. A. G. Antram, P.O., H.M. Submarine. E.4); 1914-15 Star (223207. A. G. Antram, D.S.M., P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Act. C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R, 1st issue (Act. C.P.O., H.M.S. Fearless). Mounted as worn, extremely fine or nearly so. (50)