Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 94

(x) Four: Able Seaman W. T. Read, Royal Navy

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (235590. W. T. Read, A.B. H.M.S. Alert.); 1914-15 Star (235590. W. T. Read. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (235590 W. T. Read. A.B. R.N.), good very fine (4)

William Thomas Read was born at Monkton, Kent on 31 August 1888 and was a labourer upon his joining the Royal Navy in August 1906. Having served aboard H.M.S. Alert, a Sloop armed with 6 x 4" guns and 4 x 3-pounders during the Persian Gulf operations, Read began the Great War aboard Bacchante. She shared in the Gallipoli operations and during the landing at Anzac Cove, suppressed Turkish artillery positions at Gaba Tepe after touching her bow on the beach to get a better angle to fire. On 28 May Bacchante and the destroyer Kennet destroyed enemy shipping in Budrum harbour. Three months later the cruiser bombarded Turkish troops during the Battle of Lone Pine on 6 August and at the Battle of Chunuk Bair, 7–9 August. Read then served aboard Repulse from August 1916-November 1917, which saw her serve at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. He was invalided ashore on 20 March 1918.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£210

Starting price
£120