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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 190

Four: Chief Petty Officer Cook H. C. Perrett, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (357652. H. C. Perrett, Ch. Sh. Ck., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (357652 H. C. Perrett. Ch. Sh. Ck. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (357652. H. C. Perrett. Ch. Sh. Ck. H.M.S. Neptune.), mounted as worn, very fine (4)

Harry Charles Perrett was born at Weymouth on 12 July 1882 and was a milkman upon his joining the Royal Navy on 11 August 1899. He joined H.M.S. Neptune on 26 January 1913 and served with her until 31 January 1919. Having risen to Acting Chief Ship's Cook on 10 July 1914, he served in that rating during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when Neptune was under the command of Captain Bernard. Neptune was the nineteenth ship from the head and early on she fired two salvos from her main guns at a barely visible battleship at 1840hrs. Around the time that the High Seas Fleet had reversed course, Neptune fired one salvo at the crippled light cruiser Wiesbaden. After the turn the ships of the 1st BS were the closest to the German line and at 1910hrs, she fired four salvos at the Derfflinger, claiming two hits. Shortly afterwards, the ship fired her main and secondary guns at enemy destroyers without result and then had to turn away to dodge three torpedoes. During the battle she fired 48 twelve-inch shells (21 high explosive and 27 common pointed, capped) and 48 shells from her four-inch guns.

Neptune had been sent to sea by Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany, who kept in regular contact with her Captain, including one on 17 June following the battle:

'Dear Captain Bernard,

Your letter has given me intense delight and has deeply touched me. On hearing of the sea-fight my first thought was for the "Neptune" hoping she might be in it and the long months of weary waiting be rewarded. I send you and all under your command my warmest congratulations. I am indeed proud and delighted that you went into action flying my flag, which I always hoped would be the case and that it would bring you good luck, as I spent many a month stitching it and working into it every possible good wish for the ship and those who man her that an English heart can imagine for our Navy! I am deeply touched to see the value in which you hold my gift.

When I was working the Ensign whilst visiting abroad a Prussian General and his staff were quartered where I was staying - seeing me working at a carefully protected piece of work he inquired what it was. I told him "a battle Ensign for a ship", and had great satisfaction in spreading it out before his eyes the Union Jack - "Oh, it is English" was his remark to which I could only answer with: "What else?" Nothing more was said. Such a pity they were land-lubbers and could not see the finished Ensign flying!

I am thankful the "Neptune" came off without a scratch but have all on board had the same luck?

I wonder which German ships received your iron greetings?

Once again I wish you God Speed. Believe me.'

Perrett had been awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal on 25 February 1916, was advanced Chief Petty Officer Cook on 7 March 1919 and was shore pensioned on 23 April 1924.

The awards of his gallant CO, Admiral V. H. G. Bernard, who was awarded a 'mention' and a Russian Order of St Anne for the Battle, were sold in these rooms in April 2020.

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Sold for
£150

Starting price
£80