Appointed second-in-command of Motor Launch 283, Bagot was in action at the First Ostend Raid on 23 April 1918. Throughout the operation, the launch conducted duties of rescuing officers and men from HMS "Brilliant" and "Sirius". Praised for his "great coolness under fire" during the engagement, Bagot was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The notification of the award was published in a supplement to the "London Gazette" on 23 July 1918.