Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 284

Five: Able Seaman H. Lyle, Royal Navy, who was awarded the Russian Medal of St. George for Bravery for his service at the Battle of Jutland with H.M.S. Moorsom

1914-15 Star (183624, H. Lyle, A. B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (183624 H. Lyle, A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (183634. Harry Lyle, A.B. H.M.S. Vivid.; Russia, Imperial, St. George Medal for Bravery, silver, the reverse officially numbered '1273004', good very fine (5)

Harry Lyle was born at Liskeard, Cornwall on 6 February 1880 and enlisted with the Royal Navy at Impregnable on 15 April 1895 with the rank of Boy Class II. Reaching his majority aboard H.M.S. Phaeton on 6 February 1896 he was soon promoted Able Seaman on 1 February 1900. Lyle saw service with a number of vessels prior to the Great War including Mars, New Zealand and Europa.

With the outbreak of the Great War Lyle was posted to the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Defence. Here she was part of the British force which pursued the Goeben and Breslau to Constantinople in 1914. Posted to H.M.S. Dido for Moorsom on 12 March 1915 Lyle was still with this vessel when it joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland.

This unit was combined with the 9th Destroyer Flotilla and assigned to the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron. When Beatty sent the 13th Destroyer Flotilla to attack the German fleet Moorsom and half of their combined flotilla followed suit. A force of destroyers from the German Fleet also sailed out and the two clashed between the lines of duelling battlecruisers.

The unexpected appearance of the High Seas Fleet forced Beatty to withdraw towards Jellicoe's fleet in what is known as the 'run to the north'. At the moment that the destroyers were recalled Moorsom found an opening and steamed into the attack, suffering numerous hits from 11-inch guns she loosed two torpedoes before turning away. Despite the heavy fire her bold actions had drawn Moorsom's Commander Hodgson saw that the damage to her was relatively minor. As such he took her about and made a second run, loosing the last of her torpedoes at the approaching fleet. Heavy fire rained down but Moorsom was able to get break away again and re-join the fleet. With no torpedoes and her fuel tanks contaminated with water she was forced to detach herself and return to her home base.

Lyle was awarded the Russia Medal of St. George for Bravery for his actions in the battle. He saw further service with Tempest and later Loyal, being awarded the L.S. & G.C. while at H.M.S. Vivid in February 1920. Lyle was pensioned on 5 May 1920; sold together with copied service papers, medal roll and a scanned copy of the 'Russian awarded conferred on men of the Grand Fleet' including the recipient.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£850

Starting price
£450