Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 140
'As we stepped aboard H.M.S. "Monmouth" I heard a Marine say "here's some more poor little chaps being sent to be killed" If I had only known that we were the only ones that were to be saved from that ill-fated ship'
(Commander R. H. Mandley remembers his arrival on H.M.S. Monmouth before the Battle of Coronel, Coronel and the Falklands by G. Bennett, refers)
Seven: Lieutenant R. H. Mandley, Royal Navy, one of nine Midshipman posted by sheer luck away from the doomed Monmouth before her end at the Battle of Coronel
He was to see action at the Battle of the Falkland Islands with Carnarvon and later with Superb at the Battle of Jutland
1914-15 Star (Nid. R. H. Mandley, R.N.), note incorrect spelling of rank 'Mid.'; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. H. Mandley. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oakleaf, some contact marks and edge bruising to Great War awards, overall very fine (7)
Raymond Hewitt Mandley was born at Brookland, Cheshire in 1898 the son of shipping merchant Hubert Mandley. The younger Mandley was sent to Dartmouth Royal Naval College in September 1912 and in August 1914 was posted as a Midshipman to Rear-Admiral Cradock's Squadron in the East. Here he and eight other Dartmouth Cadets were sent aboard Cradock's doomed flagship Monmouth, by a great stroke of luck however they were very soon transferred to H.M.S. Carnarvon thus missing the disastrous Battle of Coronel.
With Carnarvon he was to see action instead that the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Here she steamed into action alongside the two battlecruisers, Invincible and Inflexible. Their principle opponents being the armoured cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. With the firepower of the battlecruisers behind them the British ripped the German ships apart sinking Scharnhorst first as she attempted to close, taking Admiral Von Spee with her. Gneisenau fought until she ran out of ammunition but sank shortly afterwards.
Mandley was later posted to the battleship H.M.S. Superb, part of the Bellerophon-class. Superb was stationed with the 4th Battle Squadron where she was the flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Duff. Superb joined Admiral Jellicoe's Grand Fleet on 31 May 1916 when they went into action at the Battle of Jutland. She was the 11th in the line of 24 taking a place next to H.M.S. Canada and firing 54 12-inch shells throughout the engagement.
Promoted Acting Sub-Lieutenant on 15 September 1916 and posted to the M-class destroyer Observer he remained with her for the rest of the war. Seeing further service with Resolution and Celdon Mandley was given 'Their Lordships Thanks' for his service collecting Intelligence during the Atlantic Fleet's spring cruise. Retiring at his own request on 1 January 1923 he took work as an officer with the Egyptian Ports and Lights Administration. While retired he was also awarded a Master's certificate from the Board of Trade in 1923 and resigned from Government work in 1926. Notably he was later also promoted Lieutenant-Commander (Retired) on 15 May 1927.
Mandley was recalled for service in 1940, retaining his rank and posted to the staff of the Rear Admiral commanding the 3rd Cruiser Squadron. Given his Egypt experience Mandley was unsurprisingly posted to H.M.S. Nile, the Royal Naval Headquarters in Egypt. Here he worked mainly for the Chief of Intelligence Staff to the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean, being 'mentioned' for his work here on 1 January 1942. Promoted Commander (Retired) on 3 September 1945 he was frequently unwell and retired again on 27 March 1947; sold together with handwritten notes and copied research comprising service records, a postcard of H.M.S. Superb and extracts from the London Gazette and Seedie's Roll.
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Sold for
£380
Starting price
£180