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DSC Trio, Q Ship sunk UC31

DSC, 1915 Star Trio, Art Eng F.H. Knowles, Royal Navy, who sank German U-Boat UC31 (36 ships sunk) on 26th September 1917 on board “Q” Ship P.C. 61. Captained by Famous Arctic Explorer Frank Worsley.

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Origin: United Kingdom
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Distinguished Service Cross, GV, hallmarked 1918, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medal, with MID oakleaf (prongs), Artificer Engineer Frank Henry Knowles, Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches for the sinking of German U-Boat UC31 (By this point the Submarine had already sunk 36 ships) on 26th September 1917 on board “Q” Ship P.C. 61. in an ingenious ramming action by Skipper Frank Worsley of Arctic Explorer Fame, a well regarded Skipper under Shackleton who had deceptively baited the Submarine into thinking their undercover ship was another easy victory.

 

Distinguished Service Cross announced in the London Gazette, 5th October 1918, recommendation from service papers reads: “For marked zeal, initiative and valuable assistance rendered on all occasions”, additionally “The name of H. Knowles has been brought to notice on 2 or 3 occasions for the high state of efficiency that exists on board in his department, for the promptitude displayed whenever called upon.”

 

Mention in Despatches dated 17th November 1917, “For services in action with enemy submarines”, in the same Gazette Frank Arthur Worsley, Captain of PC61 was decorated with the D.S.O.
The Mention being for the sinking of Submarine UC31, his papers record, dated 24/10/1917 “Destruction of German Submarine by HMS P61 on 26th September 1917, Art Eng Knowles mentioned in despatches London Gazette 17.11.17”

 

9th November 1917 his papers record a recommendation for promotion on 6th November 1917:
“Commanding Officer, PC61, Recommends that Art Eng F Knowles be promoted to Engineering Lieut, He is in my opinion a very capable officer and this officer is suitable in every respect for his engines and with electrical steering gear he showed great skill and judgement in towing the 6500 ton San Zeferino after it had been torpedoed.” San Zeferino was torpedoed and sunk on 18th September 1915.

 

D.S.C. unnamed as issued, hallmarked 1918, with contemporary copy MID emblem on ribbon.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “Art. Eng. F.H. Knowles, R.N.”
British War and Victory Medal Officially impressed: “Art. Eng. F. H. Knowles R.N.”
MID oakleaf with prongs fitted on ribbon of Victory Medal.

 

With original mention in despatches certificate, dated 17th Nov 1917 and Large Photograph of him with his family attending the Investiture of the DSC in uniform.

 

His personal report of service by Captain Knowles, January 1918:

 

“Sat, above average and good, has knowledge of Dockyard Working, having stood by building Naval Ships in Belfast, The Clyde Specially, He is a very efficient Engineer and most conscientious. It is a point of honour with him to have no defects, his engines are always on the top line.”

 

His report from Lt RNR Beriton(?), January 1919:
“Sat Exceptional, Drawing in Machine construction is specially recommended. This officer holds the D.S.C. and has been mentioned in despatches for work against Enemy Submarines. He has been recommended by Admiral Milford Haven for the rank of Engineer Lt, A most capable and conscientious officer and in every way fitted for advancement to the rank of Engineering Lieutenant.”

 


For most of the war, Frank Knowles, was the Artificer Engineer of the PC class Patrol Cruiser “Q” Ship P.C. 61.
He was an original member of the ship, having been assigned to it whilst it was being built. No stranger to the Royal Navy, he was not originally a commissioned officer, having first joined the Royal Navy in 1903 as a Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, having worked before that as an Engine Fitter.
He rose on his own merit through the grades of an E.R.A. before becoming Chief Engine Room Officer 2nd Class of HMS Ajax in February 1914.
As the war had begun on 31st August 1914 he would become an Officer and was commissioned as Acting Engine Room Artificer at HMS Vivid, and joined the crew of HMS Temeraire on 15th October 1914 until 27th December 1916.

 

During this time on board he was present at the Battle of Jutland which during the battle fired 5 salvos from her main guns at the crippled Light Cruiser, SMS Wiesbaden from 18:34, claiming 2 or 3 hits. At 19:17 she fired 7 salvos at the Battleship SMS Derfflinger, but did not make any hits. 10 Minutes later Temeraire engaged several German Destroyer Flotillas with 3 Salvos from her main armament without result. She received no damage and fire a total of 72 12-Inch shells and 50 Shells from her 4-Inch guns during the battle.

 

The Captain of the ship was the Famous New Zealander and Arctic Explorer, Frank Arthur Worsley DSO and Bar, OBE, RD and Polar Medal Recipient.
Following his return from the Imperial Trans-Antartic Expedition under Shackleton during 1916, having been rescues from near death, Capt Worsley returned home to England, arrived in London and assigned himself to HMS Pembroke to begin an education in fighting against the scourge of the Navy, the German U-Boats.

 

Frank Knowles, was also at HMS Pembroke during this time, having been posted to HMS Pembroke from 28th December 1916 but already assigned for PC 61 which was undergoing “Building, Remains on coming 1st August 1917.”

 

In July 1917, Worsley was appointed commander of the PC.61, one of the later P-boats, with Joseph Stenhouse as his first officer. Frank Knowles was the Artificer Engineer. The PC 61, which was commissioned on 31 July 1917, was equipped with a semi-automatic 4-inch (100 mm) gun that was hidden by a tarpaulin suspended from crane derricks when not in use.
She also had a ram at her bow. Shortly after its commissioning, Worsley took his new command to sea on patrol. Most patrols were uneventful, sometimes U-boats were sighted and pursued, but these invariably got away.
Occasionally torpedoes were fired at his ship. Worsley felt the PC.61 was too easily identified as a Royal Navy vessel against which U-boats were too cautious to make a surface attack. Instead, the submarine would use its torpedoes to attack the ship.

 

In late September 1917, Worsley and the PC.61 were on patrol to the south of Ireland. On 26 September 1917, a nearby tanker was struck by a torpedo from a U-boat, UC-33. Observing the explosion, Worsley gradually slowed his propellers, hoping to deceive the U-boat's crew into thinking his P-boat was leaving the area and luring the submarine to the surface.

 

The deception was successful and the UC-33 surfaced, intending to sink the tanker with its deck gun. Worsley immediately ordered full speed ahead and, realising that he would lose time in manoeuvring his ship into a position in which she could use her guns, set a collision course with the U-boat, intending to ram the submarine. At high speeds the bow of the PC.61, to which the ram was fitted, lifted out of the water considerably, and Worsley had to reduce speed at the right moment in order for it to be at the right height to strike the submarine.
He timed the reduction of speed of the PC 61 perfectly and she struck the UC-33 midship as it was submerging. The submarine rapidly sunk with nearly all hands, the exception being the captain, who was rescued and later gifted Worsley a silver whistle. The damaged tanker was towed to Milford Haven in Wales, which took 12 hours in an area where other U-boats were known to be lurking.

 

For his role in the sinking of the UC-33, Worsley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Shackleton sent him a telegram congratulating him on his success. Frank Knowles was awarded a Mention in Despatches for his part in the sinking.

 

A brief summary of service:

 

Frank Henry Knowles, born 27th February 1881 in Oswestry, Salop.

 

An Engine Fitter when he joined the Royal Navy as an Acting E.R.A. 4th Class on 16th February 1903 for 12 years.
Through his initial service he served on about 11 different ship postings, rising to E.R.A. 4th Class on 20th June 1904.
3rd Class on 16th February 1906. (HMS Cambridge)
E.R.A. 2nd Class on 15th February 1910.
Acting Chief E.R.A. 2nd Class, 12th February 1913. (Vivid II)
Chief Engine Room Articifier, 12th February 1914 (HMS Ajax)

 

On 31st August 1914 he was promoted to the “Officers Section” becoming an Acting Artificer Engineer, with Seniority 1st September 1914.

 

On 16th October 1914 he was posted to HMS Temeraire, vice “Brown” as Acting Artificer Engineer.
He spent 2 years on the ship, being promoted to Artificer Engineer on 7th September 1915.

 

During his time on board he was engaged at the Battle of Jutland on 1st May 1916.

 

Returned and was posted to Shore Station HMS Pembroke being assigned to P.C. 61 on 28th December 1916.
Remarks state that the ship was undergoing building planning for a launch by August.

 

31st December 1918, Colleen, additional for PC 61 (on transfer acqt 140)
16th October 1919, Pembroke, additional for PC 61, on reducing to CIM Pty