War Medals

J.33011 FRANCIS DISTANCE, ORD. ROYAL NAVY, KILLED IN ACTION AT JUTLAND SERVING IN HMS. 'DEFENCE'

1914-15 Star (J.33011 F.Distance Boy 1 RN.); British War Medal; Victory Medal 1914-19 (J.33011 Ord. RN); Memorial Plaque - Francis Distance : (FRANCIS DISTANCE - Born 15 May 1898 at York, joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2 at HMS. Impregnable on 17 November 1914,.Advanced to Boy 1 and transferred to the armoured cruiser, HMS. Defence from 14 May 1915 and advanced to Ordinary Seaman from 15 May 1916. and was still serving in that ship when it went into action at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. At Jutland, 'Defence' was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, leading the the First Cruiser Squadron which formed the starboard flank of the cruiser screen ahead of the main body of the Grand Fleet. 'Defence' and 'Warrior' the two leading ships of the squadron, spotted the German 2 Scouting Group and opened fire but their shells fell short. Soon afterwards the two ships came across the disabled German cruiser SMS. 'Wiesbaden' and closed to engage it. However at 18.05 when still some 5500 yards from the German ship they were in turn spotted by the German Battlecruiser SMS.'Derfflinger' which was in company with four battleships. At a distance of less than 8000 yards the German ships opened a heavy fire and 'Defence' was hit by two salvoes which caused the aft magazine to explode. The resulting fire spread through the ammunition passages to the adjacent magazines which in turn detonated. At 18.20 'Defence' exploded with the loss of all hands. The recipient has no known grave and is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, he was just eighteen years of age at the date of his death.) Sold with verification, copy Service Record, copy Casualty Roll entry, copy CWGC. information and other related research. Plaque contained in original card holder. One slight edge bruise to Victory Medal otherwise all items GVF - £695