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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 154

Five: Able Seaman J. H. Whitmore, Royal Navy, who was fortunate to survive the torpedoing of HMS Penelope in 1916

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (238107 J. H. Whitmore, Ord. H.M.S. Hyacinth:); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (238107 J. H. Whitmore, A.B. H.M.S. Hyacinth.); 1914-15 Star (238107 J. H. Whitmore. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (238107 J. H. Whitmore. A.B. R.N.), very fine (5)

James Henry Whitmore was born at Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, on 20 April 1891 and was brought up in the workhouse along with his mother and sister. Enlisting at the Training Ship Exmouth on 23 May 1906, he was discharged from 22 January 1907 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class the same day.

Posted to HMS Hyacinth from 27 March 1909 he reached his majority with on 12 April 1909. His service with this ship saw him serve in the Persian Gulf and off Somaliland, hunting slavers and gun runners. Completing his service on Hyacinth on 15 March 1910 he was transferred to Odin where he was promoted to Able Seaman on 4 January 1911. Whitmore then returned to Hyacinth on 12 January 1911, serving with her until 2 June 1911, possibly seeing further active service in that time.

He was serving with the Depot Ship Tyne at the outbreak of the Great War and remained aboard until 5 November 1914. Transferring ashore to Pembroke I Whitmore was posted to Penelope from 19 February 1915, he was with her when she was torpedoed by UB-29 on 25 April 1917 as part of Harwich Force. He was transferred away the next month on 19 May 1916, likely as Penelope went in for repairs however he returned in 16 September.

Posted to HMS Liberty whilst borne on the books of Hecla from 18 April 1917 he remained with her for the rest of his war. Returning ashore on 1 February 1919 he was apprehended by the Civil Police on suspicion of being an absentee. Having received 30 days' detention. Whitmore was released from the Navy on 13 August 1921. He appears on the 1939 Register for Congleton as a Camouflage Painter, although he was rarely seen at work; sold together with photocopied research to include service papers and medal roll entries.

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Estimate
£240 to £280

Starting price
£190