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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 250

Seven: Chief Engine Room Artificer E. C. G. Starling, Royal Navy, who served with the Terrible in South Africa and China, later posted to the Kempenfelt, being awarded the Russian Medal of the Order of St. George for his Bravery at the Battle of Jutland

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (E. Starling. E.R.A., H.M.S. Terrible); China 1900, no clasp (E. C. Starling, E.R.A. 3 Cl., H.M.S. Terrible.); 1914-15 Star (268914 E. C. G. Starling. C. E. R. A. 1. R. N.); British War and Victory Medals (Art. Eng. E. C. G. Starling. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (268914 E. C, G. Starling, C.E.R.A. 1Cl, H.M.S. Victory); Russia, Imperial, St. George Medal for Bravery, 4th Class, silver, the reverse officially numbered '1029043', a heavy edge bruise to the last, contact marks overall, nearly very fine (7)

One of two such awards to this ship for Jutland.

Ernest Charles George Starling was born at Lexden, Essex on 20 March 1875, working as a fitter and turner until enlisting with the Royal Navy on 20 January 1897 as an Engine Room Artificer Class IV. Posted to H.M.S. Terrible he saw service with this ship as it provided shore parties during both the Anglo-Boer War and Boxer Rebellion.

Starling saw further service prior to the Great War with Duke of Wellington and Cressy, being promoted Chief Engine Room Artificer with the dreadnought H.M.S. Britannia on 29 September 1909. Seeing service with H.M.S. Attack between October and December 1915 he was posted to the Marksman-class destroyer H.M.S. Kempenfelt on 14 December 1915.

Kempenfelt was the leader of 11th Destroyer Flotilla under Commander Sulivan at the Battle of Jutland. During the battle they formed up to support George V in the main battle line. Later they encountered the lead elements of the High Seas Fleet as it made its way back to Germany. The Castor in particular came under heavy fire from enemy Light Cruisers but thanks to Commander Sulivan's careful handling of the Flotilla, they came out of the encounter intact.

Leaving the Kempenfelt on 31 August 1917 he was posted ashore, remaining there until he was placed upon the retired list on 5 October 1922; sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£900