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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 48

A good campaign group of four awarded to Captain R. W. Grubb, Royal Navy, who was bestowed with the Russian Order of St Anne and a 'mention' for his able command of Marvel at the Battle of Jutland - he had previously been commended for sinking two German Coastal Torpedo Boats in May 1915 off Noordhinder Bank

1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. R. W. Grubb. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Commr. R. W. Grubb. R.N.); Russia, Imperial, Order of St Anne, 3rd Class breast Badge with Swords, gold and enamel, maker's initials 'AO' under enamel on reverse, gold marks to hilts of swords, mounted as worn by Spink & Son, repairs to this last, very fine, in damaged fitted leather case (4)

Ex-Gaston-Grubb Collection.

Order of St Anne, 3rd Class London Gazette 5 June 1917.

Reginald Watkins Grubb was born on 15 July 1883 and appointed a Naval Cadet in September 1898. Made Midshipman on 15 October 1898, he was advanced Sub-Lieutenant on 15 April 1902, Lieutenant on 30 June 1904 and Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June 1912.

With the outbreak of the Great War, Grubb was soon into the action, having been appointed to the command of the destroyer Leonidas on 1 August 1914. Grubb was commended for his work in sinking two German coastal torpedo boats DE-A2 and DE-A6 on 1 May 1915 at the Battle off Noordhinder Bank. He was thence given command of Marvel on 14 December 1915, upon her commissioning.

Jutland - laurels

Grubb commanded Marvel a little under six months later at the Battle of Jutland, as part of the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla. At 1815hrs she was struck forward by a 12-inch shell which thankfully did not explode. Ninety minutes later she swept in with the Destroyer Flotilla to finish off V48, which had been crippled by Shark a little before. V48 had been flying a Commodore's pennant and the sole survivor, Hans Robert Tietje, spent 14 hours in the water before being picked up by a Danish fishing boat.

At 0145hrs, with dawn approaching, orders came for the destroyers to prepare for a torpedo attack. They came into range of around 2,000 yards and were subjected to heavy fire. Marvel launched four torpedoes in the direction of the enemy, the Pommern being blown up with loss of all hands, the 'kill' often being credited to Onslaught although that remains unproven. For his part in the epic battle, Grubb earned the Russian Order of St Anne and a 'mention' (London Gazette 15 September 1916, refers). Marvel was bestowed with a D.S.O., a D.S.M., x2 M.I.D.'s (Grubb & Telegraphist Hopkinson), Grubb's St Anne and a Russian Medal of St George (Petty Officer Boraston).

He concluded the Great War with the command of Mary Rose from 25 August 1916-23 February 1917, being promoted Commander on 31 December 1916. Retired in November 1920, he was advanced Captain on the Retired List on 15 July 1928. Grubb was called up for work with the Naval Officer in Charge, Clyde in 1939. Sent to Bermuda in April 1940, he functioned as N.C.S.O. Bermuda from 25 August, 1940 before being recalled to Portsmouth in December 1940 where he undertook an appointment, though he was "N.T.J." [not to join].

He reverted to the Retired List on 9 July 1943 but on 1 August was called for special duty outside Ministry of War Transport. This appointment was terminated on 31 October 1944 and Grubb was reverted to the Retired List the following day. The Captain died on 13 December 1954.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£800