*A Great War Submariner’s D.S.M. Group of 4 to Stoker Petty Officer William Goulding, R.N., of H.M. Submarine E.54, who was awarded the D.S.M. for his part in the sinking of the German U-Boat UC-10 on 21 August 1916, comprising: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (K.3736. W. Goulding, Sto. 1 Cl. H. M. Sub. E54, 21. Aug. 1916.); 1914-15 Star (K.3736, W. Goulding, Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, 1914-1919, the first officially re-impressed (K.3736 W. Goulding. Act. L. Sto. R.N.); Group loose, medals erroneously mounted, generally very fine (4) D.S.M.: London Gazette: 24.10.1916. Stoker Petty Officer William Goulding was born on 4 September 1890 at Lambeth, London. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 4 August 1909, having previously worked as a Labourer. He served aboard various ships during his early career, and at the time of the outbreak of the Great War he was serving aboard H.M.S. Princess Royal. On 12 October 1915 he transferred to H.M.S. Dolphin to begin his work with submarines. Serving aboard H.M.S. E.54 under Commander (later Admiral Sir) Robert Raikes, Stoker Goulding was awarded the D.S.M. for his part in the sinking of the German U-Boat UC-10 ‘in difficult waters’ on 21 August 1916, for which Raikes was awarded the D.S.O. William Goulding later served aboard the submarine K.7 which like many other of the K-Class was very unreliable, and at times, unlucky. Of all of the K-Class submarines, K.7 was the only submarine to score a direct hit on an enemy submarine, and Goulding was serving aboard her at this time. On 16 June 1917 she engaged the U-boat U-95 and struck a direct hit, but the torpedo failed to explode. The K.7 was also involved in the so-called ‘Battle of May Island’, where she was damaged by running over the sinking K.4. Promoted to Stoker Petty Officer on 16 September 1917, William Goulding was discharged from service on 4 June 1921.
Estimate: £1000-£1200