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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 267

Three: Stoker Class I T. W. Sweby, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M.S. Castor during her beating at the Battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (288368, T. W. Sweby, Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (288368 T. W. Sweby. Sto. 1. R. N.), some contact marks and edge bruising, very fine (3)

Thomas William Sweby was born in Hertfordshire on 10 November 1878 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 26 April 1898 as a Stoker Class II. Seeing service aboard a number of vessels prior to the Great War including H.M.S. Powerful, Revenge and Royal Arthur.

Posted aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Castor on 12 November 1915, she was part of the 11th Destroyer Flotilla and Castor was deployed in support of the dreadnought King George V. During the withdrawal of the German High Seas Fleet, the Flotilla came into contact with their advanced guard of Light Cruisers and a heavy bombardment fell upon Castor. Hit four times her forecastle took a heavy blow throwing splinters over the ammunition lobby and wounding a number of men. She suffered 13 killed and 26 wounded during her trial but came out of it well thanks to the safe handling of the Flotilla.

Continuing to serve, Sweby was posted ashore at Victory II on 8 September 1916. He was demobilised on 27 January 1919; sold together with a copied service record.

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Sold for
£85

Starting price
£70