Skipper 10055D, H.M. Q-Ship Smack Nelson, Royal Naval Reserve. Killed by shell-fire 15 August 1917. Aged 41. Born 28th April 1876, in Lowestoft. Awarded the Victoria Cross (V.C.), Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C. Father of T. W. Crisp, of 41, Stanford St., Lowestoft, Suffolk. The tenor bell at St. Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, is named the "VC Bell" and dedicated to him. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 25. See also Lowestoft St Margaret's, Lowestoft St Johns and Lowestoft.

Extract from The London Gazette 20 November 1918

from the Admiralty

With reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the account of the action for which this award was made) —

Action of H.M. Armed Smack Nelson on the 15th August, 1917.

On the 15th August, 1917, the Smack Nelson was engaged in fishing when she was attacked by gunfire from an enemy submarine. The gear was let go and the submarine's fire was returned. The submarine's fourth shot went through the port bow just below the waterline, and the seventh shell struck the skipper, Thomas Crisp, partially disembowelling him, and passed through the deck and out through the side of the ship. In spite of the terrible nature of his wound Skipper Crisp retained consciousness, and his first thought was to send off a message that he was being attacked and giving his position. He continued to command his ship until the ammunition was almost exhausted and the smack was sinking. He refused to be moved into the small boat when the rest of the crew were obliged to abandon the vessel as she sank, his last request being that he might be thrown overboard.

(The posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Skipper Thomas Crisp, D.S.C., R.N.R., 10055 D.A., was announced in The London Gazette No. 30363, dated the 2nd November, 1917.)

An extract from the London Gazette, No. 30363, dated 2nd November 1917, records the posthumous award of V.C. "For service in action with enemy submarines."

This replica Victoria Cross with its blue Naval ribbon and Distinguished Service Cross were presented in 2004 to the Lowestoft War Memorial Museum by the grand daughter of thomas Crisp, VC, DSC.

The actual medal are kept by Waveney District Council and may be viewed upon request of the Chief Executive.

Skipper. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.). Probably died October-December Quarter 1919, death registered in the Mutford Registration District, Suffolk. Aged 46. In the 1901 census he was a mariied, woking as a Mate onboard Chanticleer Fishing Smack, aged 27, born Ipswich, home port Lowestoft.

Citation for DSM The London Gazette Friday 22 December 1916 p.12559:
"The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of Decorations and Medals to the following officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine in recognition of zeal and devotion to duty , shown in, carrying on the trade of the country during the war :

To receive the Distinguished Service Medal. "

either Edward John NICHOLS, Gunner 885122, 3rd East Anlian Brigade, Royal field Artillery. Died 7 May 1917. Aged 20. Son of Edward Charles Nichols, of 79, Rotterdam Rd., Lowestoft. Buried in SUEZ WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Section B. Grave 37.

or Edward John NICHOLS, Air Mechanic 2nd Class, Base Depot Details, Mid. Eastern Brigade, Royal Flying Corps. Died 7 May 1917. Aged 20. Son of Edward Charles Nichols, of 79, Rotterdam Rd., Lowestoft, and the late Mary Anne Nichols. No known grave. Commemorated on JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza). Panel 57.