War Medals

9050S STOKER ERNEST JOHN BANWELL, ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE, LOST IN THE SINKING OF HMS. HAMPSHIRE.

British War Medal; Victory Medal 1914-19 (9050S. E.J. BANWELL, Sto. RNR.) Memorial Plaque - Ernest John Banwell : (ERNEST JOHN BANWELL - Born 30 August 1882 at Walthamstow, Essex, in 1916 was serving as a Stoker in the Royal Naval Reserve aboard the cruiser HMS. 'Hampshire'. The ship had been in action at the battle of Jutland, immediately after which it was ordered to convey Lord Kitchener and his staff from Scapa Flow to Arkhangelsk, Russia on a diplomatic mission. Because of the prevailing weather conditions it was decided on a route through the Pentland Firth and north along the western coast of the Orkney Islands, which would provide some shelter from the wind and allow the escorting destroyers to maintain close contact. 'Hampshire' departed Scapa Flow at 16.45hrs. on 5 June 1916, and about an hour later rendezvoused with the two destroyer escorts HMS. 'Unity' and HMS. 'Victor' but as the ships turned to the northwest, the gale increased in strength and shifted direction so that they were facing directly into it. This caused the destroyers to fall behind 'Hampshire', but as it was considered unlikely that enemy submarines would be operating in such bad weather conditions, Captain Savill of the 'Hampshire' ordered the escorts to return to Scapa Flow and that 'Hampshire' would continue alone on course as planned. At about 19.40hrs 'Hampshire' was approximately one and a half miles off the mainland of Orkney between Brough of Birsay and Marwick Head when an explosion occurred and the ship heeled over to starboard, having struck one of several mines laid by a German submarine. The detonation holed the cruiser between bows and bridge, and the lifeboats when lowered were smashed against the side of the ship by the heavy seas. 'Hampshire' sank by the bow less than fifteen minutes after the explosion and of the 735 crew and 14 passengers aboard only twelve members of the crew survived, coming ashore on three Carley floats. A total of 737 were lost including Lord Kitchener and all his staff. The recipient was among those killed, in what was to become one of the most famous incidents of the Great War, he has no known grave and is commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial.) Sold with verification, copy Service Record, copy CWGC information and other related research. Plaque contained in original (repaired) envelope sent to Mr Frank Banwell 'Chanchellors Cottage', Redhill, Bristol, medals with folded unused original silk ribbons contained in card box of issue, EF - £765