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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 456

Four: Able Seaman J. J. Shank, Royal Navy, who served with Falmouth at Jutland and survived her later sinking during the Action of 19 August 1916

1914-15 Star (227640, J. J. Shank, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (227640 J. J. Shank. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (227640 J. J. Shank. A.B. H.M.S. Columbine.), contact marks, edge bruise, very fine (4)

John Joseph Shank was born at Tipton, Staffordshire on 10 February 1888 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 22 August 1908 as Boy Class II. Reaching his majority with the Battleship Cornwallis on 10 February 1906 he was to serve with a number of warships before the Great War including Thesus and Defience. He joined the light cruiser Falmouth on 29 July 1914, being present with her at the Battle of Heligoland Bight not long later.

Falmouth was posted to the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron before the Battle of Jutland in 1916, being the Flagship for Rear Admiral Napier. This Squadron was part of the force assigned to escort the Battlecruiser Fleet in drawing out the High Seas Fleet. Not engaged in the Run to the South the Squadron were the first to encounter the Grand Fleet before the final major engagement of the Battle.

Falmouth targeted Weisbaden and landed hits upon Lutzow and Derfflinger before engaging the cruiser Munchen. She struck the German warship twice, causing damage to her boilers and preventing her from keeping up steam. Falmouth fired a total of 175 shells dueing the action.

After the Battle she was on of the ships which sortied on 19 August 1916 only to be targeted by the u-boat, U-66. Hit by a torpedo Falmouth managed to make steam and head for home, at some stage being taken on by a tug. Unfortunately she was surprised by U-63 and hit twice more just off Flamborough Head. This proved too much and Falmouth sank some eight hours later.

Shank survived the sinking and was posted ashore to Vivid I on 27 August. Returning to service afloat on 14 September with the cruiser Weymouth he remained with her until 31 January 1918. Serving intermittently between shore establishments and H.M.S. Fearless foor the rest of the war, Shank joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12 September 1920. He was discharged as over the age limit on 9 February 1938 just missing Second World War Service; sold together with copied service papers and census data as well as a copied photograph of H.M.S. Falmouth.

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Sold for
£150

Starting price
£70