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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 450

Four: Chief Petty Officer R. K. Ward, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (207672, R. K. Ward. P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (207672 R. K. Ward. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (207672 R. K. Ward. P.O. H.M.S. Thunderer), pitting, contact marks, very fine (4)

Rowland Keys Ward was born at Plymouth on 2 June 1884 and was a schoolboy upon his joining the Royal Navy on 11 January 1900. During the Great War he served aboard Thunderer from 15 June 1912-20 June 1919 and was present at the Battle of Jutland. Captain James Fergusson, her skipper, had her eighth ship from the head of the battle line after deployment. At 1827hrs the ship briefly fired at the crippled light cruiser Wiesbaden, although the number of hits made, if any, is unknown, until her view was blocked by other British ships. Less than an hour later, Thunderer sighted two German dreadnoughts visible between Royal Oak and Iron Duke at about 1915hrs. She fired three salvoes of common pointed, capped (CPC) at the leading ship, but no hits were made and the second salvo was actually fired over the top of Iron Duke, before her view was totally obscured. She fired 37 13.5-inch shells (all CPC) during the battle.

Ward was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in August 1917 and was shore pensioned on 1 June 1924.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£100