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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 668

(x) Four: Able Seaman W. Tobin, Royal Australian Navy, late Royal Navy who as Boy Class I served with Iron Duke at Jutland

1914-15 Star (J39916 W. Tobin. Boy. 1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J39916 W. Tobin. A.B. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (J.39916 [Ch. B. 20051] W. Tobin. A.B. R.F.R.), pitting and contact wear to second and third, overall very fine (4)

William Tobin was born in England on 18 April 1899 and enlisted with the Royal Navy while still a school boy on14 April 1915. His first posting was aboard the dreadnought H.M.S. Iron Duke and it was this vessel which served as the flagship for Admiral Jellicoe during the Battle of Jutland.

During the Battle Iron Duke led the Grand Fleet to sea while Beatty's 'Run to the North' pulled the German High Seas Fleet towards them. As the Fleet deployed for action Iron Duke assumed the ninth place in the line. While herself undamaged in the fighting she hit the S.M.S. Koenig seven times and sank the destroyer S35.

After the Battle Tobin reached his majority to become Ordinary Seaman on 15 April 1917, later being promoted Able Seaman on 18 January 1918. He was still with the vessel when she saw Russian service in the Black Sea and later during the Great Smyrna Fire. He was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy on 15 January 1923 and served with Penguin, Cerberus and Adelaide before joining the Royal Fleet Reserve on 15 January 1927. This was not the end of Tobin's career and he was still in service until 14 January 1927, being briefly returned to service on 2 September 1939 however he was demobilised on 24 October 1939; sold together with original bullion good conduct stipes and Naval button as well as copied research comprising medal rolls and service records.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£110

Starting price
£80