War Medals

HORACE ROBERT WADEY, CHIEF STEWARD, MERCANTILE FLEET AUXILIARY

1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal 1914-19, with original Mention In Despatches Emblem on ribbon (H.R. Wadey, Ch. Std. MFA.) : (HORACE ROBERT WADEY - Born around 1869 at Wivenhoe, Essex was employed as a Ship's Steward. In 1918 he was serving as Chief Steward in the Armed Yacht HMS. 'Lorna', which in 1914 had been requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed patrol vessel. On the evening of 26 May 1918, 'Lorna' was escorting a convoy off Portland Bill at the eastern end of Lyme Bay, when the periscope of a submarine was sighted only some thirty yards away. 'Lorna' was able to approach to ten yards before being detected by the submarine, which then commenced to dive. 'Lorna' dropped two depth charges, resulting in a large patch of turbulance containing floating debris. On returning to the area where the submarine was last seen, it was discovered that some items in the water were actually four survivors from the U-Boat, their calls for help being heard too late to prevent a third charge from being dropped. Three of the men in the water were killed instantly, whilst the fourth, who was still alive when recovered, died within three hours, although not before revealing that the submarine destroyed had been UB-74. 'Lorna' was returned to it's owners in February 1919. Some accounts of the incident record that 'Lorna' actually rammed the periscope of the U-Boat. The recipient was MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES for this action - London Gazette dated 7 August 1918.) : Sold with verification, copy London Gazette entry and related research. Medals mounted on long lengths of original silk ribbon - EF - £325