Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30147, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30147/supplement/6253. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Acting Lieutenant (now Lieutenant-Commander) William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in command of one of H.M. Ships in action. GAZETTE ISSUE 31021, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/31021/supplement/13693. Admiralty, 20th November 1918. With reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following are the accounts of the actions for which these awards were made:- Action of HMS “Prize” on 30th April 1917. HMS “Prize,” a topsail schooner of 200 tons, under command of Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve, sighted an enemy submarine on the 30th April, 1917. The enemy opened fire at three miles range and approached slowly astern. The “panic party,“in charge of Skipper William Henry Brewer, Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section), immediately abandoned ship. Ship's head was put into the wind, and the guns' crews concealed themselves by lying face downwards on the deck. The enemy continued deliberately shelling the schooner, inflicting severe damage and wounding a number of men. For 20 minutes she continued to approach, firing as she came, but at length, apparently satisfied that no one remained on board, she drew out on the schooner's quarter 70 yards away. The white ensign was immediately hoisted, the screens dropped, and all guns opened fire. A shell struck the foremost gun of the submarine, blowing it to atoms and annihilating the crew. Another shot demolished the conning tower, and at the same time a Lewis gun raked the survivors off the submarine's deck. She sank four minutes after the commencement of the action in clouds of smoke, the glare of an internal fire being visible through the rents in her hull. The captain of the submarine, a warrant officer and one man were picked up and brought on board the Prize, which was then herself sinking fast. Captors and prisoners, however, succeeded in plugging the shot holes and keeping the water under with the pumps. The “Prize” then set sail for the land, 120 miles distant. They were finally picked up two days later by a motor-launch and towed the remaining five miles into harbour. (The award of the Victoria Cross to Acting Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve, was announced in London Gazette No. 30147, dated the 22nd June 1917.) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30285/supplement/9536. GAZETTE ISSUE 30285, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, For services in action with enemy submarines.
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Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30147, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30147/supplement/6253. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Acting Lieutenant (now Lieutenant-Commander) William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in command of one of H.M. Ships in action. GAZETTE ISSUE 31021, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/31021/supplement/13693. Admiralty, 20th November 1918. With reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following are the accounts of the actions for which these awards were made:- Action of HMS “Prize” on 30th April 1917. HMS “Prize,” a topsail schooner of 200 tons, under command of Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve, sighted an enemy submarine on the 30th April, 1917. The enemy opened fire at three miles range and approached slowly astern. The “panic party,“in charge of Skipper William Henry Brewer, Royal Naval Reserve (Trawler Section), immediately abandoned ship. Ship's head was put into the wind, and the guns' crews concealed themselves by lying face downwards on the deck. The enemy continued deliberately shelling the schooner, inflicting severe damage and wounding a number of men. For 20 minutes she continued to approach, firing as she came, but at length, apparently satisfied that no one remained on board, she drew out on the schooner's quarter 70 yards away. The white ensign was immediately hoisted, the screens dropped, and all guns opened fire. A shell struck the foremost gun of the submarine, blowing it to atoms and annihilating the crew. Another shot demolished the conning tower, and at the same time a Lewis gun raked the survivors off the submarine's deck. She sank four minutes after the commencement of the action in clouds of smoke, the glare of an internal fire being visible through the rents in her hull. The captain of the submarine, a warrant officer and one man were picked up and brought on board the Prize, which was then herself sinking fast. Captors and prisoners, however, succeeded in plugging the shot holes and keeping the water under with the pumps. The “Prize” then set sail for the land, 120 miles distant. They were finally picked up two days later by a motor-launch and towed the remaining five miles into harbour. (The award of the Victoria Cross to Acting Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, Royal Naval Reserve, was announced in London Gazette No. 30147, dated the 22nd June 1917.) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30285/supplement/9536. GAZETTE ISSUE 30285, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, For services in action with enemy submarines.