CHAPTER XIV 



ANOTHER SKIPPER'S V.C. 



There could be little doubt as to the sequel to the 

 story of a skipper's bravery which the Prime Minis- 

 ter had told briefly to the House of Commons, and 

 within a week of his speech the London Gazette 

 announced the posthumous grant of the Victoria 

 Cross to Skipper Thomas Crisp, R.N.R., " killed 

 in action." The statement, moving in itself, was 

 made more impressive by the simultaneous 

 announcement of the award of the Distinguished 

 Service Medal to the skipper's son, Second Hand 

 Thomas William Crisp, R.N.R. 



Up to that time more than 300 Crosses had been 

 awarded to the Navy and Army during the war. 

 The great majority of these Crosses had been gained 

 by soldiers, for reasons which were obvious, the 

 Navy having been denied the opportunities of glory 

 which the Army had enjoyed in so many different 

 spheres of action. 



The Crosses which had been won by members of 

 the Navy, however, represented deeds of uncommon 

 variety and courage and resource, and prominent 

 even amongst these remarkable achievements was 



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