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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 509

A 'King Edward VII's Funeral' R.V.M. group of ten awarded to Lieutenant (Gunner) T. H. Saunders, Royal Navy, whose long career saw him participate in the Siege of Ladysmith, the Battle of Jutland - when he was aboard H.M.S. Neptune - and the Siege of Malta, surely the only man to have seen all three events

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (183817 A-B: T. H. Saunders H.M.S. Powerful.); 1914-15 Star (Gnr. T. H. Saunders. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Gnr. T. H. Saunders. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., bronze; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., (183817. P.O. T. H. Saunders. P.O. H.M.S. Excellent.), cleaned, very fine (10)

R.V.M. awarded for his part of the party of Bluejackets who manned the Gun Carriage at the Funeral of King Edward VII.

Thomas Herbert Saunders was born on 19 December 1879 at Godshill and entered the Royal Navy in 1897. He first saw active service ashore with the Bluejackets of Powerful during the Boer War, when Saunders was promoted Leading Seaman, whilst also being noted as a diver. He was part of the party who manned the Gun Carriage which drew the body of King Edward VII through Windsor to his final resting place in 1910 - thus earning the Royal Victorian Medal.

Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in January 1913, he was commissioned as a Gunner in August 1913 and during the Great War saw action at the Battle of Jutland aboard the Neptune, commanded by Captain Bernard (Medals sold in these rooms, April 2020). She 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.'

He transferred to as a Gunnery Instructor to Excellent in October 1916. Saunders was advanced Chief Gunner in October 1923 and Lieutenant (Gunner) in December 1929, before being retired. During the Second World war he re-joined in August 1939, serving at St Angelo on Malta as a Boom Defence Officer during the Siege of Malta, family sourcing further stating a Commendation from the Admiral Commanding the Dockyard in 1942. Retired once again in 1946, Saunders was admitted to hospital in December 1946 and died on 7 January 1947; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£750