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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 775

(x) An 'H.M.S. Conqueror' group of three awarded to Chief Petty Officer T. E. Ward, Royal Navy who was also awarded the D.S.M. for his service during the Battle of Jutland

British War and Victory Medals (183781 T. E. Ward. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (183781. T. E. Ward. C.P.O. H.M.S. Ganges II.), minor contact marks, very fine (3)

[D.S.M.] London Gazette 15 September 1916:

'For services rendered in the action of the North Sea 31st May - 1st June 1916.'

Thomas Edward Ward was born at Falmouth, Cornwall on 16 October 1879 and enlisted on 13 May 1895 as Boy Class II at H.M.S. Ganges. Serving with a variety of shore bases and training vessels in his youth, Ward reached maturity on the depot ship Wild Swan on 16 October 1897. He transferred that same year to the armoured cruiser Imperious aboard which he was promoted Able Seaman on 3 November 1897.

As his service continued Ward was stationed with a number of different ships and shore bases including the torpedo school Defiance and the cruiser Arrogant. It was aboard the latter that Ward was promoted Leading Seaman on 7 September 1901 and later further advanced Petty Officer on 13 May 1902. He suffered a setback however when aboard the Eclipse-class protected cruiser Doris he was reduced Leading Seaman from the rank of Petty Officer Class I on 7 March 1903. Notwithstanding this hiccup, Ward was swiftly reinstated to the rank of Petty Officer on 16 October 1903 and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer on 21 April 1908 whilst aboard the protected cruiser Hyacinth. Ward was posted to the dreadnought Conqueror on 23 November 1912; this vessel was serving as part of the 2nd Battle Squadron with the outbreak of war and was present at the destruction of her squadron-mate Audacious when she struck a mine laid by the S.S. Berlin off Ireland on 27 October 1914.

Ward was still with Conqueror when she steamed out as part of the Grand Fleet under Admiral Jellicoe against the German High Seas Fleet. She was under the command of Captain (later Admiral) Hugh Tothill and arrived as part of the British response to the German 'Run to the North'. She was seventh in the British line of battle and fired 57 shells from her main 13.5-inch guns and is known to have targeted the crippled light cruiser Wiesbaden. For his performance in the battle, Ward was presented with the D.S.M.

He served with Conqueror for most of the war, only leaving her for the torpedo school Defiance on 10 March 1918. Ward served either ashore or in depot ships for the rest of his career, which ended with his joining the Royal Fleet Reserve on 16 October 1919. He is listed on the 1939 census as living at St. Austell, Cornwall and working as a brewery cellar man. Ward died only five years later, in 1944; sold together with copied service records, census data and medal rolls as well as a London Gazette entry and typed summary.

Further entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the Distinguished Service Medal.

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

Sold for
£120

Starting price
£80