MEDALS and memorabilia belonging to a Great War hero sea captain were among a selection of lots raising four-figure sums at auction in Wareham.

Captain William Nisbet Oliver commanded the British steam ship Clan MacTavish, that was part of the fleet of merchant ships belonging to the Clan Line of Glasgow.

Following capture, the captain became a German prisoner of war. He was only spared execution when the German sea captain who fought against him pleaded for clemency.

Captain Oliver was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross and the Lloyds medal for Meritorious Service when later released.

These two medals, put up for auction with associated memorabilia by a couple from Langton Matravers, were bought at Cottees Auction House, Wareham, for £1,725.

Auctioneer John Condie said: “Included in this lot with the two medals were a large quantity of contemporary newspaper clippings of the sea battle and the life of Captain Oliver.”

On January 16, 1916, while carrying cargo from Australia to England the Clan MacTavish encountered the German vessel Moeve, a freighter that had been converted into a commerce raiding ship.

Mr Condie explained: “The Moeve was disguised as a merchant ship with her guns hidden and Clan MacTavish was ordered to stop. She signalled she was stopping but increased her speed to escape.”

At this point the Moeve fired across her bow, which was met by a salvo from the Clan Mactavish’s six-pounder gun, that had been recently installed at Dakar.

During the ensuing exchange Clan MacTavish was hit several times and forced to surrender having lost 15 men. The Germans later blew up the vessel as she was sinking.

Mr Condie said: “Captain Oliver was taken prisoner and tried and with the gun crew interned as a prisoner of war in Germany.

“The captain of the Moeve pleaded for Captain Oliver’s life, which was granted.”

n A painting by World War Two aircraft artist Frank Wootton, of the Sussex countryside, also sold at the sale.

The painting, that previously hung in a Corfe Castle holiday home, sold for £1,950.

Meanwhile, a large William IV mahogany dining table exceeded expectations to sell for £1,265.