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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 118

The campaign group of four awarded to Captain C. G. Robinson, Royal Navy, who commanded H.M.S. Engadine at the Battle of Jutland and earned a promotion and a 'mention' for his fine service on that famous day, which included saving the lives of those who survived the encounter on the stricken Warrior

1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. C. G. Robinson. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Commr. C. G. Robinson. R.N.); Coronation 1911, mounted as worn, good very fine (4)

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 September 1916 (Jutland):

'In command of Engadine. Was prompt in sending up a seaplane to scout. Handled his ship in a skillful and seamanlike manner, and towed Warrior for 75 miles, subsequently succeeding in taking off her crew, thus saving their lives.'

Charles Gwillim Robinson was born at Frankton Grange, Shropshire on 8 April 1881 and entered the Royal Navy on 15 July 1895, being made Midshipman on 15 August 1897, being advanced Lieutenant on 31 March 1903 and Lieutenant-Commander on 31 March 1911. Before the Great War he commanded Haughty, Lively, Ribble and Afridi. He assumed command of the Engadine on 19 August 1915 which would see him at the helm of the seaplane carrier at the Battle of Jutland, when was attached to the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, commanded by Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Napier, and carried two Short Type 184 and two Sopwith Baby floatplanes aboard. Beatty ordered Engadine to make a search to the north-northeast at 1440hrs and she sailed through the Fleet before turning north-east to find calmer water. At 1507hrs Lieutenant Frederick Rutland took off in his Type 184 and his observer signalled Engadine that they had spotted three German cruisers and five destroyers at 1530hrs. These were ships from the II Scouting Group, leading the battlecruisers of Vice Admiral Franz von Hipper. This was the first time that a heavier-than-air aircraft had carried out a reconnaissance of an enemy fleet in action. Sadly her fuel line ruptured which halted progress and required Moresby and Onslow to stand by to protect her.

During the fighting Warrior, under Captain Vincent Molteno, found herself facing off against the German Battlecruiser Derfflinger, which hit her over fifteen times. The ship suffered heavy damage but her engine room crew managed to keep the ship under power for long enough to disengage - however, in the end only three of these men survived the fighting. Withdrawing westwards she was taken under tow by Robinson's Engadine. Unfortunately Warrior was taking on water too quickly and soon the decision was taken to transfer her crew to Engadine and scuttle her. Notably during the transfer, Lieutenant Rutland again sprang to action and was awarded the Albert Medal in Gold for attempting to save the life of a wounded man who had fallen between the two ships. He was also awarded the D.S.C. for his actions during the battle with a Bar added in 1917 and the nickname 'Rutland of Jutland'.

With their work done, Signaller H. Y. Ganderton of the Engadine, brings the story to a close:

'Grappling irons and ropes were cast off at 08.25 and gathering speed we left the doomed ship - a truly forlorn spectacle. Derelict, battered and battle scarred, forsaken at last, heaving in a queer dying convulsive sort of manner - and yet, with the white ensign proudly flying at the masthead, her battle ensign. Warrior's crew gave their old ship a cheer, and there were tears in her captain's eyes. That was the last glimpse of the old Warrior we had before she was lost sight of in the mist, and vanished beneath the waves of the cold grey North Sea.'

Duly rewarded with his 'mention' and promotion to Commander on 30 June 1916, he assumed command of Manxman on 4 December 1916, a position held until 5 April 1919, whilst also being considered a member of the Royal Air Force due to his charges being for seaplanes. Retired in April 1920, he was made Captain (Retired) in April 1926 and died in his native Shropshire in October 1965; sold together with original M.I.D. certificate, in its torn postage envelope and copied research.


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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£320