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Auction: 21102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 3
Lot: 117

Victory Medal 1914-19 (165276 J. Spiteri. O.S.1 R.N.), good very fine

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1917

John Spiteri was born on 7 September 1873 at Malta. He served there from 16 December 1891, first aboard HMS Nile until 26 May 1892 and later aboard HMS Hood from 8 July 1893 performing a stewardship role with the rating of 'Dom 3 Cl'. Having completed his time aboard these ships Spiteri was discharged back to 'Shore Malta'. Promoted Ordinary Seaman Class I on 1 October 1907 with the added note 'mess closed'. The outbreak of war found Spiteri aboard the Warrior-class Armoured Cruiser HMS Warrior, which he had joined on 12 September 1910. This vessel had performed an active role at the start of the war, taking part in the unsuccessful pursuit of the Breslau and Goeben and the Action off Antivari on 16 August 1914 before being deployed to the help protect the Suez Canal. She joined the Grand Fleet in December 1914 with 1st Cruiser Squadron and remained in this role until the Battle of Jutland.

During the fighting Warrior under Captain Vincent Molteno found herself facing off against the German Battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger which hit her over fifteen times. The ship suffered heavy damage but her engine room crew managed to keep the ship under power for long enough to disengage - however, in the end only three of these men survived the fighting. Withdrawing westwards she was taken under tow by the small seaplane tender, HMS Engadine. Unfortunately the Warrior was taking on water too quickly and soon the decision was taken to transfer her crew to Engadine and scuttle her. Notably during the transfer, RNAS Lieutenant Fredrick Rutland was awarded the Albert Medal in gold for attempting to save the life of a wounded man who had fallen between the two ships. He was also awarded the DSC for his actions during the battle with a Bar added in 1917 and the nickname 'Rutland of Jutland'. Spiteri received a 'mention' for his role in the battle and was soon promoted Officer's Steward Class I on 1 October 1917. However he also ended his service at sea, spending the remainder of his career in Shore Establishments in Britain and on Malta, where he was demobilised on 27 May 1921. The wreck of HMS Warrior was discovered on 24 August 2016, making it the last of the 25 vessels sunk at Jutland to be found.

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Sold for
£30

Starting price
£20