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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 465

(x) The 'Bombardment of Hartlepool 1914' campaign group of four awarded to Private S. G. Emery, Royal Marine Light Infantry later Corporal, Royal Air Force, who was serving with Patrol when she was beached attempting to defend the town from attack by the High Seas Fleet

1914-15 Star (CH.18271 Pte. G. Emery. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (F.49713. G. Emery. A.M.1. R.N.A.S.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (249713 Cpl. G. Emery. RAF), contact marks, edge wear, very fine (4)

Sargeant George Emery was born in Walsall, Staffordshire on 2 June 1896 and enlisted into the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 8 December 1913. He was posted aboard the scout cruiser Patrol on 14 November 1914, just prior to the German raid in December.

In the early morning hours of 16 December 1914, Admiral Hipper's plan to bombard the seaside towns of Hartlepool, Scarborough and Whitby came to fruition, when he divided his battle cruisers into two forces: the Seydlitz, Blücher and Moltke proceeded to Hartlepool. It was there that the most serious damage of the raid was inflicted, the indiscriminate broadsides of the Seydlitz, Blücher and Moltke causing local civilian casualties of 86 killed and 424 injured.

Further evidence of the ferocity of the bombardment was reflected in the town's smashed infrastructure, dozens of buildings - including seven churches - being demolished or severely damaged. No less than 1,100 enemy shells had found their mark.

H.M.S. Patrol, under the command of Captain Alan Bruce, R.N., berthed at Hartlepool on the eve of the enemy attack, together with her consort Forward, four destroyers of the 9th Flotilla and H.M. Submarine C 9. At low tide it was difficult for the cruisers to get out to sea, so it fell to the destroyers to enact the Royal Navy's opening response to the raiders on 16 December 1914.

At 0800 the destroyers sighted the German battlecruisers Seydlitz and Moltke and the armoured cruiser Blücher, preparing for their bombardment. Having chased off the hopelessly outgunned destroyers, the enemy cruisers opened fire on Hartlepool's two coastal artillery batteries, which mounted three 6-inch guns, before bombarding the port and harbour entrance.

Captain Bruce attempted to leave the harbour but was quickly engaged by Blücher in the channel to the open sea and Patrol was hit by two 8.3-inch shells. Seriously damaged she was deliberately beached to prevent her from sinking and later made for Middlesbrough docks. Four of the crew were killed in the action and a further seven wounded, even this was a light tally when one considers the weight of firepower she was taking on.

Emery remained with Patrol until 11 January 1918, transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service the next month on 5 February 1918. The following month the Royal Air Force was formed, incorporating the R.N.A.S. and it was with this unit that Emery was awarded his L.S. & G.C. He appeared on the 1939 Census living at Tutbury, Staffordshire where he is listed as a retired RAF Warder on pension. Emery died in 1980 at East Staffordshire; sold together with copied research.

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

Sold for
£240

Starting price
£70