Description
An excellent WW1 Submarines MID, and WW2 Evacuation of Dunkirk, then Russian Convoys DSC group Lieutenant Commander Joseph William Brand.
D.S.C. (Geo VI) engraved – Lieut(E) J.W. Brand.R.N. H.M.S. Gossamer. 1942.; 1914-15 Star, 272304 J.W. Brand.E.R.A.3 R.N.; British War and Victory medals, (MID leaf) 272304 J.W. Brand.E.R.A.3 R.N.; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence Medal; 1939-45 war Medal; Naval L.S.G.C. (Geo V) 272304 J.W. Brand.E.R.A.1 H.M.S. Victory. (Group mounted as worn, in old Spinks case.)
M.I.D. London Gazette 23rd April 1918: For operations in Submarines in the Baltic Sea
Distinguished Service Cross London Gazette 1st January 1942 (H.M.S. Goossamer)
Long Service and Good Conduct – 22nd August 1924
Born in Barrow-in-Furness in 1891 and enlisted on the 27th July 1909
Intially served on HMS Tenedos to the 15th July 1910, he went on the serve on various ships and shore bases, including Indus, Vivid, Fishguard, Victory, and Dolphin until joining HMS Vulcan on the 14th March 1914 and served on her to the 30th September 1914.
War time service started on HMS Alecto on the 1st October 1914 to the 9th November 1914.
HMS Forth from 10th November 1914 to 22nd February 1915
HMS Vulcan 23rd February 1915 to 2nd March 1916
HMS Arrogant 3rd March 1916 to 19th July 1916
HMS Maidstone 20th July 1916 to 3rd August 1916
Joining Submarine E19 ion the 4th August 1916 and served in her until 14th January 1918.
HMS Dolphin 15th January 1918 to 2nd August 1918
HMS Platypus 3rd August 1918 to 15th January 1919
During the interwar years he is promoted, and his papers contain very complimentary reports on his manner, professionalism and how he deals with the men along with his efficient running of things..
Recommended to be commissioned as Engineer by his CO on HMS Flinders in 1937.
He continued to serve between the wars joining H.M.S. Gossamer in January 1939 and serves on her until she was sunk in 1942 During this time she had taken part in convoys to Russia including PQ1 and PQ16, being sunk by a direct hit during an air attack on the 24th June.
HMS GOSSAMER (J63) was a minesweeper of the “Halcyon” class authorized in the 1936 naval program. She was built by William Hamilton and Co. Ltd, Port Glasgow, with machinery by Stephen and Sons, Ltd., and was laid down on 2nd November, 1936; launched On 5th October 1937; and completed on 31st March 1938.
When the War broke out In September 1939, she was serving in the North Atlantic Command at Gibraltar. She left there on 6th February 1942, arriving at Chatham on the 15th, and after degaussing was allocated to the 5th Minesweeping Flotilla, Rosyth Command.
At the evacuation from Dunkirk GOSSAMER made six trips to and from that port or the beaches, and brought home 3,200 Officers and men. Her Commanding Officer Commander R. C. V. Ross was awarded the D.S.O.
She was later transferred to the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla, Nore Command, and took part in several minesweeping and escort operations. In 1941 the 6th Flotilla joined successively the Orkneys and Shetlands command and the Western Approaches Command.
In October GOSSAMER was part of the anti‑submarine escort of the North Russian convey PQ1, arriving at Archangel on the 11th. She was afterwards engaged on minesweeping and anti‑submarine sweeps from that port and in the escort of later convoys.
On 30th April 1942, GOSSAMER left Murmansk with two other ships of her flotilla to assist the cruiser EDINBURGH which had been torpedoed with Convoy QP11. Next day the EDINBURGH was further attacked by German destroyers and sunk. GOSSAMER rescued 440 survivors. In May she to took part in the escort of Convoy PQ16. Follow this LINK for further information on PQ16
GOSSAMER remained in North Russia and on 24th June was sunk by a direct bomb hit during an air attack while at anchor in the Kola Inlet. Three officers were killed and 20 ratings missing, twelve were wounded.
For detailed information on Gossamer follow this LINK
Joined HMS Tyne in January 1943, then went to HMS Beaver from July 1944.
In September 1946 he goes to HMS President I, and finally to HMS Cochrane from April 1947 to September 1949
With a photograph of him in uniform.
Condition – NEF
