Distinguished Service Medal, (GV, ) (Cpl R.M.L.I. Special Service 16 July 1916), 1914-15 Star (Pte. R.M.L.I.), British War Medal, Victory Medal ( L.Cpl. R.M.L.I.), Royal Naval L.S.G.C. ( GV) (Pte. R.M.L.I.)
R. Emmett
With a portrait photograph in uniform on an embroidered cloth backing, various family photographs and postcards including a photo postcard of HMS Agamemnon’s mascot (a cat) sitting in the muzzle of a 12-inch gun.
Distinguished Service Medal, L.G. 25t/10/1916.
Robert Emmett was born in Southgate, London on 23rd October 1884 and enlisted in the Royal Marines on 23rd October 1902. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he was serving on HMS Agamemnon, being detached for service to HMS Redbreast
His DSM was awarded for his service when Redbreast attacked the German submarine U31 on 16th July 1916. Lieutenant G.S. Brown was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for this action and asked to recommend 2 members of the crew for this action, Lance Corporal Emmett and Leading Stoker John Duncan. (Duncan DSM appeared Christies 1992, Brown’s DSC, DNW 2007)
H.M.S.Redbreast was fitted out for “Q” Ship duties and on 16 July, while steaming along ‘that busy route from Malta eastwards towards Crete’, she encountered a U-Boat at six miles range, steering north-east to head off the Q-Ship:
‘There now ensued a battle of wits between the German and Lieutenant G. S. Brown, R.N., Redbreast’s captain. Sending his men to action stations, the range was closed to 6,000 yards, when the enemy did a quick dive at a big angle in preparation for torpedoing; but by altering course five points to port and increasing speed to 12.5 knots this put the German off his attack. The latter therefore returned to the surface ten minutes later, showed up on the steamer’s starboard quarter, and opened fire with his gun. Ten shells – all good for direction but 200 or 300 yards short – were loosed off, after which Brown was about to stop engines and pretend to abandon ship. But just as he was going to ring down “Stop,” the enemy must have seen some item that aroused nervous doubt even as the boats were being cast loose. For the German had suddenly changed his mind, could not be tempted to renew his attack, but went off … ’ (Seas of Adventures refers).
Not to be denied an opportunity to engage the enemy, Brown changed course for the Messina-Alexandria route and ran up Greek colours, in addition to quickly changing other features in the Q-ship’s appearance. Over two hours later, his ploy succeeded, an enemy submarine surfacing about 500 yards from the Redbreast’s port bow:
‘Alarm gongs were rung from the bridge, and the moment this U-Boat’s deck emerged clear seven British projectiles shot across. Three hit, the first blowing off the conning-tower’s top, killing the captain, who was leaning over the fore part, half in and half out, with his arms folded. Black smoke then issued from the boat … and she dived obscurely. Unquestionably she was in a bad way, listing heavily to port, and Lieutenant Brown reasoned that she would either founder or make for the Adriatic. Redbreast accordingly spent the night cruising about the scene and informed two trawlers to look out. She was painted a light slaty-blue, and identified as the same submarine met earlier in the day. Lieutenant Brown was awarded the D.S.C., two of the crew were given the D.S.M., and a sum of £1000 was awarded to the ship. Nevertheless that submarine was not destroyed. Remarkable though it may be, she got back home in spite of her wounds, and this narrow escape must be reckoned in the same category as that of the U-93 and several other enemy submarines.’
1 year later, on 15th July 1917, HMS Redbreast was sunk by the German submarine UC38 in the Aegean Sea with the loss of 42 members of her crew, Emmett returned to Agamemnon. Demobilised on 22nd March 1919 he then joined the Royal Fleet Reserve being discharged on 15th December 1924.
