Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 482

A Great War campaign group of three awarded to Stoker 1st Class T. Warrey, Royal Navy, who was killed in action in H.M.S. Indefatigable at the battle of Jutland in 1916: following the death of his brother at the Battle of Coronel, he acquired a tombstone tattoo with the epitaph 'in loving memory of my brother'

1914-15 Star (9262 T. Warrey, Sto. 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (9262 T. Warrey, Sto. 1, R.N.), good very fine (3)

Thomas Warrey was born in Devonport on 26 September 1892, the son of Richard and Matilda Warrey, and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in October 1910, direct from the merchant service. On the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was serving as a Stoker 1st Class in the battle cruiser H.M.S. Indefatigable, and he was likewise employed at the time of her loss at the battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.

During the 'run to the south', Beatty's battlecruisers were heavily engaged with those of Admiral von Hipper. Shortly after 4 o'clock, when engaged in a duel with the Von der Tann, the Indefatigable was hit by a salvo of three heavy calibre shots on her upper deck which penetrated her aft magazines. An explosion followed and she was seen to be sinking by the stern. Another salvo then struck near her fore turret and after a second explosion she turned over and disappeared. Of her company of 1,012 officers and ratings, only two were picked up by the Germans.

Poignantly, as verified on his service record, Thomas had earlier acquired a tattoo to commemorate his late brother, Albert. Both men are commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

For the Medals of his brother, please see Lot 481.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£200

Starting price
£170