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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 457

The campaign group of four awarded to Stoker Class I C. Taylor, Royal Naval Reserve, who was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland when the magazines of the Defence exploded and took the lives of all who sailed in her

1914-15 Star (S.3516, C. Taylor, Sto., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (35165. C. Taylor. Sto. R.N.R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Charles Taylor), good very fine (4)

Charles Taylor was born at Briton Ferry, Glamorgan on 10 July 1885 and worked in the Swansea copper smelting factories in 1911. He enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve in October 1914 and served in Patrol Boat 99 from 30 November 1914-10 January 1915. He joined the books of Defence on 11 January 1915 and was present during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, being the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, leading the 1st Cruiser Squadron.

The Squadron formed the starboard flank of the cruiser screen, ahead of the main body of the Grand Fleet. Defence was just to the right of the centre of the line. At 1747hrs, Defence and Warrior, the leading two ships of the squadron, spotted the German II Scouting Group and opened fire. Their shells fell short and the two ships turned to port in pursuit, cutting in front of the battlecruiser Lion, which was forced to turn away to avoid a collision. Shortly afterwards, they spotted the disabled German light cruiser Wiesbaden and closed to engage. When the two ships reached a range of 5,500 yards from Wiesbaden they were spotted in turn at 1805hrs by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger and four battleships which were less than 8,000 yards away. The fire from the German ships was heavy and Defence was hit by two salvoes from the German ships that caused the aft 9.2-inch magazine to explode. The resulting fire spread via the ammunition passages to the adjacent 7.5-inch magazines which detonated in turn. The ship exploded at 1820hrs with the loss of all hands.

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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£240