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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 635

Eight: Chief Yeoman of Signals R. W. Black, Royal Navy, who was aboard H.M.S. Audacious when she was sunk by a mine on 27 October 1914, later serving on the Queen Elizabeth at Gallipoli

1914-15 Star (233376, R. W. Black, Y.S. R.N.); British and Victory Medals (233376 R. W. Black. Y.S. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S.&G.C., G.V.R. (233376 R. W. Black. Y.S. H.M.S. Lucia.), contact marks and polishing, very fine (8)

Robert Wallace Black was born on 6 September 1889 at Gosport, Hampshire. Enlisting with the Royal Navy as a Boy Signaller on 15 February 1905 he served aboard a number of vessels with this rank including King Alfred, Barfleur and Royal Arthur. Reaching his majority while serving ashore at Victory I Black was promoted Ordinary Signaller on 1 October 1907 and further advanced Signalman later that month on 31 October.

Further service both at sea and on land followed and Black entered the Great War as a Leading Signalman aboard the dreadnought H.M.S. Audacious. During the reorganisation of the fleet early in the war Audacious was at Tory Island, off Scapa Flow, when it struck a mine laid only a few days earlier by the S.S. Berlin. Fortunately she sank slowly and many of the crew were rescued by boats from her escort of destroyers as well as the R.M.S. Olympic, sister ship of the titanic, which responded to calls for aid.

After a period ashore Black was posted to the new Queen Elizabeth on 22 December 1914, in time to serve aboard her for the Dardanelles campaign. Here they set about attempting to reduce the outer forts protecting the straight, this proved a major challenge between the heavy guns of the forts and the minefields which were being laid even as the battles were fought. Losses mounted until late May 1915 when it was finally decided to remove heavy naval support from the straights, leading to Queen Elizabeth transferring to Scapa Flow. Black was promoted Yeoman of Signals while aboard her here soon transferring to H.M.S. Barham on 10 August 1916.

He served with her during the indecisive cut and thrust of raids over the North Sea during the final years of the war and was posted to the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert after the war on 25 September 1920. Promoted Chief Yeoman of Signals while ashore at Victory I on 1 April 1925 and was discharged on 18 October 1927. Re-entering the service with the Royal Navy Shore Signalling Service on 6 September 1929 as Signalman (Shore Signal Service); sold together with copied service records and medal rolls.

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Estimate
£180 to £220

Starting price
£180