Other Decorations Awarded:
Lieutenant John Howell-Price DSC - Distinguished Service Order.
Engine Room Artificer Allan G. Roxburgh - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Petty Officer Walter Harmer - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Leading Seaman William Cleaver - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Stoker Henry Bindall - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

On April 23rd 1918, a combined force of Royal Navy and Royal Marines assaulted the Belgium port of Zeebrugge, in an attempt to deny it and the inland port of Bruges to U-boats of the Imperial Navy, by placing two blockships in the entrance of the Bruges Canal. Whilst the outcome was not a total success, there were eight Victoria Crosses awarded, including the Submarine Branch's fifth and last of World War One. This was awarded to Lt. Richard D. Sandford, C3's commanding officer.

An important part of the Zeebrugge operation was the destruction of the viaduct connecting the seaward end of the mole, to prevent German re-enforcements access during the raid. To this end, it was planned to drive C3 , loaded forward with six tones of high explosives, under the viaduct using an automatic pilot. The theory being that the crew would make a getaway in a small motor skiff, a mile from the target, being well clear when the fuse blew.

Only unmarried volunteers were selected and the boat crew reduced to six, two officers and four ratings. C3 was towed by a destroyer to within five miles of the target. Preferring to disregard the autopilot to guarantee success, Sandford approached the viaduct, ignoring the German guns, whilst star shells lit up the sky. Sandford held a steady course, ramming the submarine into the masonry of the viaduct.

After setting the time fuses, Sandford and his crew made their escape, under fire, in their little motor skiff. Finding it disabled, they had to row. Two of the crew were wounded and Sandford took two bullets, but they kept rowing until picked up by a picket boat from their towing destroyer. As they clambered aboard, a terrific explosion confirmed the success of their mission. Ironically, Richard D. Sandford V.C died of typhoid fever a few months later in a Yorkshire hospital. He was just 26 years old.