Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 400

(x) Four: Chief Petty Officer R.C. Gentry, Royal Navy, who was killed in action aboard H.M.S. Pyramus in 1915 during operations in the Persian Gulf

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (R. C. Gentry, LG. Sean., H.M.S. Theseus.); British War and Victory Medals (168991. R. C. Gentry. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (168991 R. C. Gentry, C.P.O., H.M.S. Pembroke.), central letter of rank restruck on War Medal, light contact marks, very fine (4)

Raymond Clarence Gentry was born on 29 May 1876 in St. Osyth, Essex and worked as a clerk prior to his enlistment with the Royal Navy on 26 August 1892. Gentry began his naval career as a Boy 2nd Class aboard the training ship H.M.S. Boscawen, being promoted Boy 1st Class with her the next year. His second posting was with H.M.S. Australia from 25 April 1894, being advanced Ordinary Seaman that May, before joining H.M.S. Victory I that June. Gentry was not to serve with her long, however, and was posted to the H.M.S. Active on 6 October 1894. Later that year in May, he re-engaged to complete a period of twelve years.

Gentry rose through the ranks quickly and was appointed Able Seaman while onboard H.M.S. Active, later joining H.M.S. Pembroke I for a few days ahead of a posting on H.M.S. Wildfire on 29 May 1895. He enjoyed a longer period of service with the Edgar-class protected cruiser H.M.S. Theseus from 11 January 1896 until 19 July 1897, and with whom he served in Africa and was promoted Petty Officer 2nd Class. Gentry saw a couple of postings before being made Petty Officer 1st Class while with H.M.S. Victorious from 15 December 1897 through 15 May 1900.

Gentry enjoyed some shore leave and on 24 August 1901 married Louisa Ellen Plumb at the Parish Church in Caterham, Surrey. Returning to the sea, more postings passed before he was advanced Acting Chief Petty Officer while with H.M.S. Topaze from 5 December 1904 until rejoining H.M.S. Wildfire on 4 December 1906, with whom he was finally appointed Chief Petty Officer. He served with her for a few years, not having another posting until H.M.S. Pembroke I on 1 July 1908. Gentry was next briefly aboard H.M.S. Charybdis between 2 August and 8 September 1910, when he then joined H.M.S. Astrea for a couple of years before returning to H.M.S. Pembroke I on 29 June 1912. His final, fateful posting was on 29 May 1914 aboard the Pelorus-class protected cruiser H.M.S. Pyramus.

Pyramus was undertaking operations in the Persian Gulf when Gentry was killed in action on 9 September 1915. Louisa Ellen was notified of his death and his medals sent to her at their home at 64 Chaucer Road, Gillingham, Kent. Her husband was buried at the Tehran War Cemetery in Iran; sold together with copied research.

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

Sold for
£320

Starting price
£180