34
GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
Description
“I’ll always remember his last words, he said, ‘Is the ship all right?’ I said, ‘Yes, Sir, the ship’s all right!’ He said, ‘I’ll have a little sleep now then…’ And that was it.”
(The last words of the mortally wounded Lt .Cdr. Onslow at Jutland)
The unique ‘Somaliland 1904’ Conspicuous Service Cross awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. G. Onslow, Royal Navy, who at Illig on the Somali Pirate Coast made gallant charges under point-blank fire through burning huts into concealed caves to bayonet tribesmen who were sniping at the British assault force - Later during the Great War he was present at the Battle of Jutland where he commanded the destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught and made an heroic torpedo attack which sank the battleship S.M.S. Pommern, being, himself, mortally wounded by a direct hit on Onslaught’s bridge - One of only eight C.S.C’s. ever issued and the last awarded example of this medal
Conspicuous Service Cross, E.VII.R, hallmarks for London 1901, a very good original example with bulbous rounded reverse as issued, this contemporarily engraved 'Midshipman A.G. Onslow', good very fine and very rare £3000-4000
---
C.S.C. London Gazette 6th September 1904.
The Official History of the Operations in Somaliland 1901-1904 states: ‘During this operation Hood, with Mr. A. G. Onslow, midshipman, and No. PO-9146 John Edward Flowers, Corporal, Royal Marine Light Infantry, of Fox entered the cave from which they were fired at and cleared it in a hand-to-hand encounter. Major C. H. Kennedy, R.M.L.I., who was an eye-witness of this incident, gave the following account:- “A marine and a bluejacket passing a burning hut were fired at. Mr. A. G. Onslow, Midshipman, with the two men at once opened fire, and, after several shots, firing ceased, but, after a pause, firing was again opened by the occupants of the hut. Captain Hood, who was on the beach at the time, then went up with several men who opened fire. After several volleys had been fired into the hut, the firing still continuing, Captain Hood gave the order to charge, and called on more men to follow. He himself dashed in, accompanied by Mr. Onslow, through the burning hut, and with his sword attacked the men in the cave, the whole time being practically under fire. He first used his sword and then his revolver, and Mr. Onslow bayoneted the third man.”’
Captain Hood’s report: “As the sniping still continued from the village, I collected a few men, with Mr. Onslow, Midshipman (special report), and cleared a cave, the entrance of which was covered by a wicker hut. It contained three men, all riflemen, who were then killed.”
Contemporary newspapers reported the attack on Illig in dramatic terms:
‘Fight in a Cave: Thrilling Incident of a Hand-to-Hand Combat: Some thrilling incidents of the dervish rout near Illig, Italian Somaliland, on April 21st, when the enemy’s entrenchments were stormed by sailors, marines and infantry, are telegraphed by the Daily Mail’s Aden Correspondent. Captain Hood, of H.M.S. Hyacinth, greatly distinguished himself in the close fighting that followed the British charge. With a sword in one hand and a revolver in the other, he entered the cave whence the dervishes were firing and shot down the snipers. Corporal Flowers followed, and bayoneted a dervish who was in the act of spearing Captain Hood from behind, and Midshipman Onslow also gallantly bayoneted several snipers hidden in caves.’
Specially promoted for service in Somaliland 1904 London Gazette 16 November 1906
The Conspicuous Service Cross was instituted in 1901 and converted to the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914. During its short life, only eight awards of the C.S.C. were made: five for South Africa, two for China 1900 and Onslow's for Somaliland in 1904, the last C.S.C. ever to be awarded. The whereabouts of Arthur Onslow’s Africa GSM with clasp and his WWI trio are unknown, though it is believed that his memorial plaque was held at Sheerness Dockyard and may now be in storage at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Arthur Gerald Onslow (1885-1916), the eldest son of Colonel Gerald Onslow R.E., was born in India on 13th May 1885. The Onslow family, originally from Shropshire, is large. Although Arthur’s brothers and immediate ancestors served in the Army, the Navy List has always shown two or three Onslows.
Arthur joined the Navy on 15th January 1900, a few months before his fifteenth birthday. In 1904 the 18 year-old Midshipman Onslow was serving on the brand-new cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth, the flagship of Rear-Admiral George Atkinson-Willes, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Among Atkinson-Willes’ duties was the enforcement of an international embargo against the supply of modern rifles to the Somali tribes of the Horn of Africa. In 1912 Arthur married Elsie Hinde Crouch. Their only child, a daughter, was born in February 1915. On October 15th 1914, at the age of 29, Arthur Onslow was promoted to be Lieutenant-Commander . After a series of commands of torpedo-boats and small destroyers, in 1915 he was appointed to command the newly built ‘M class’ destroyer HMS Onslaught, which formed part of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla, assigned to Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet.
Jutland: The Gallant, “Admirably Executed” Attack on the Battleship S.M.S. Pommern
At the Battle of Jutland in 1916 the Flotilla was stationed on the port quarter of the Battle Fleet during the night action following the first day of fighting. At 01.45 in the morning of June 1st, just as the short summer night was showing the first signs of dawn, it reported “Enemy’s battlefleet steering south-east, approximate bearing south-west. My position ten miles astern of 1st Battle Squadron”. At 02.03 the 1st Division of 12th Destroyer Flotilla began an attack.
Torpedoman Fred Knight of the Onslaught recalled: “We went straight in to attack. It was fast breaking daylight. We carried four 21-inch torpedoes which were all fired - one hitting the third ship in line at a range of 1,000 yards.” Sir John Jellicoe stated in his official despatch: “The attack carried out by the Twelfth Flotilla was admirably executed. Torpedoes…fired at the third ship took effect, and she was observed to blow up... There were many gallant deeds performed by the destroyer flotillas; they surpassed the very highest expectations that I had formed of them.”
The Imperial War Museum holds a sound recording of George Wainford, one of the crew of HMS Onslaught, giving a first-hand account of the action. The two dual revolving 21" Torpedo Tubes slewed towards their firing position at 8 degrees a second. Torpedoes were charged, heaters switched on to reduce dive, high speed set, gyros checked, test firing gear. Flood. Charge the firing reservoir and ready at standby. 02.07: Final preparations and checks completed.
02.08: From the bridge came the order FIRE - the first two torpedoes are off, with high speed set they should hit the battleship scarcely 3000 yards distant in about three minutes. 02.11: Order to FIRE the last pair of torpedoes.
02.12: One, possibly two torpedoes from Onslaught detonates on the port side of the target, igniting the cordite and 6.7" and 11" shells in her magazines....
-----
This lot description has been truncated. Please see the Dix Noonan Webb website for the full lot description.
(The last words of the mortally wounded Lt .Cdr. Onslow at Jutland)
The unique ‘Somaliland 1904’ Conspicuous Service Cross awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. G. Onslow, Royal Navy, who at Illig on the Somali Pirate Coast made gallant charges under point-blank fire through burning huts into concealed caves to bayonet tribesmen who were sniping at the British assault force - Later during the Great War he was present at the Battle of Jutland where he commanded the destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught and made an heroic torpedo attack which sank the battleship S.M.S. Pommern, being, himself, mortally wounded by a direct hit on Onslaught’s bridge - One of only eight C.S.C’s. ever issued and the last awarded example of this medal
Conspicuous Service Cross, E.VII.R, hallmarks for London 1901, a very good original example with bulbous rounded reverse as issued, this contemporarily engraved 'Midshipman A.G. Onslow', good very fine and very rare £3000-4000
---
C.S.C. London Gazette 6th September 1904.
The Official History of the Operations in Somaliland 1901-1904 states: ‘During this operation Hood, with Mr. A. G. Onslow, midshipman, and No. PO-9146 John Edward Flowers, Corporal, Royal Marine Light Infantry, of Fox entered the cave from which they were fired at and cleared it in a hand-to-hand encounter. Major C. H. Kennedy, R.M.L.I., who was an eye-witness of this incident, gave the following account:- “A marine and a bluejacket passing a burning hut were fired at. Mr. A. G. Onslow, Midshipman, with the two men at once opened fire, and, after several shots, firing ceased, but, after a pause, firing was again opened by the occupants of the hut. Captain Hood, who was on the beach at the time, then went up with several men who opened fire. After several volleys had been fired into the hut, the firing still continuing, Captain Hood gave the order to charge, and called on more men to follow. He himself dashed in, accompanied by Mr. Onslow, through the burning hut, and with his sword attacked the men in the cave, the whole time being practically under fire. He first used his sword and then his revolver, and Mr. Onslow bayoneted the third man.”’
Captain Hood’s report: “As the sniping still continued from the village, I collected a few men, with Mr. Onslow, Midshipman (special report), and cleared a cave, the entrance of which was covered by a wicker hut. It contained three men, all riflemen, who were then killed.”
Contemporary newspapers reported the attack on Illig in dramatic terms:
‘Fight in a Cave: Thrilling Incident of a Hand-to-Hand Combat: Some thrilling incidents of the dervish rout near Illig, Italian Somaliland, on April 21st, when the enemy’s entrenchments were stormed by sailors, marines and infantry, are telegraphed by the Daily Mail’s Aden Correspondent. Captain Hood, of H.M.S. Hyacinth, greatly distinguished himself in the close fighting that followed the British charge. With a sword in one hand and a revolver in the other, he entered the cave whence the dervishes were firing and shot down the snipers. Corporal Flowers followed, and bayoneted a dervish who was in the act of spearing Captain Hood from behind, and Midshipman Onslow also gallantly bayoneted several snipers hidden in caves.’
Specially promoted for service in Somaliland 1904 London Gazette 16 November 1906
The Conspicuous Service Cross was instituted in 1901 and converted to the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914. During its short life, only eight awards of the C.S.C. were made: five for South Africa, two for China 1900 and Onslow's for Somaliland in 1904, the last C.S.C. ever to be awarded. The whereabouts of Arthur Onslow’s Africa GSM with clasp and his WWI trio are unknown, though it is believed that his memorial plaque was held at Sheerness Dockyard and may now be in storage at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Arthur Gerald Onslow (1885-1916), the eldest son of Colonel Gerald Onslow R.E., was born in India on 13th May 1885. The Onslow family, originally from Shropshire, is large. Although Arthur’s brothers and immediate ancestors served in the Army, the Navy List has always shown two or three Onslows.
Arthur joined the Navy on 15th January 1900, a few months before his fifteenth birthday. In 1904 the 18 year-old Midshipman Onslow was serving on the brand-new cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth, the flagship of Rear-Admiral George Atkinson-Willes, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Among Atkinson-Willes’ duties was the enforcement of an international embargo against the supply of modern rifles to the Somali tribes of the Horn of Africa. In 1912 Arthur married Elsie Hinde Crouch. Their only child, a daughter, was born in February 1915. On October 15th 1914, at the age of 29, Arthur Onslow was promoted to be Lieutenant-Commander . After a series of commands of torpedo-boats and small destroyers, in 1915 he was appointed to command the newly built ‘M class’ destroyer HMS Onslaught, which formed part of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla, assigned to Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet.
Jutland: The Gallant, “Admirably Executed” Attack on the Battleship S.M.S. Pommern
At the Battle of Jutland in 1916 the Flotilla was stationed on the port quarter of the Battle Fleet during the night action following the first day of fighting. At 01.45 in the morning of June 1st, just as the short summer night was showing the first signs of dawn, it reported “Enemy’s battlefleet steering south-east, approximate bearing south-west. My position ten miles astern of 1st Battle Squadron”. At 02.03 the 1st Division of 12th Destroyer Flotilla began an attack.
Torpedoman Fred Knight of the Onslaught recalled: “We went straight in to attack. It was fast breaking daylight. We carried four 21-inch torpedoes which were all fired - one hitting the third ship in line at a range of 1,000 yards.” Sir John Jellicoe stated in his official despatch: “The attack carried out by the Twelfth Flotilla was admirably executed. Torpedoes…fired at the third ship took effect, and she was observed to blow up... There were many gallant deeds performed by the destroyer flotillas; they surpassed the very highest expectations that I had formed of them.”
The Imperial War Museum holds a sound recording of George Wainford, one of the crew of HMS Onslaught, giving a first-hand account of the action. The two dual revolving 21" Torpedo Tubes slewed towards their firing position at 8 degrees a second. Torpedoes were charged, heaters switched on to reduce dive, high speed set, gyros checked, test firing gear. Flood. Charge the firing reservoir and ready at standby. 02.07: Final preparations and checks completed.
02.08: From the bridge came the order FIRE - the first two torpedoes are off, with high speed set they should hit the battleship scarcely 3000 yards distant in about three minutes. 02.11: Order to FIRE the last pair of torpedoes.
02.12: One, possibly two torpedoes from Onslaught detonates on the port side of the target, igniting the cordite and 6.7" and 11" shells in her magazines....
-----
This lot description has been truncated. Please see the Dix Noonan Webb website for the full lot description.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
“I’ll always remember his last words, he said, ‘Is the ship all right?’ I said, ‘Yes, Sir, the ship’s all right!’ He said, ‘I’ll have a little sleep now then…’ And that was it.”
(The last words of the mortally wounded Lt .Cdr. Onslow at Jutland)
The unique ‘Somaliland 1904’ Conspicuous Service Cross awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. G. Onslow, Royal Navy, who at Illig on the Somali Pirate Coast made gallant charges under point-blank fire through burning huts into concealed caves to bayonet tribesmen who were sniping at the British assault force - Later during the Great War he was present at the Battle of Jutland where he commanded the destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught and made an heroic torpedo attack which sank the battleship S.M.S. Pommern, being, himself, mortally wounded by a direct hit on Onslaught’s bridge - One of only eight C.S.C’s. ever issued and the last awarded example of this medal
Conspicuous Service Cross, E.VII.R, hallmarks for London 1901, a very good original example with bulbous rounded reverse as issued, this contemporarily engraved 'Midshipman A.G. Onslow', good very fine and very rare £3000-4000
---
C.S.C. London Gazette 6th September 1904.
The Official History of the Operations in Somaliland 1901-1904 states: ‘During this operation Hood, with Mr. A. G. Onslow, midshipman, and No. PO-9146 John Edward Flowers, Corporal, Royal Marine Light Infantry, of Fox entered the cave from which they were fired at and cleared it in a hand-to-hand encounter. Major C. H. Kennedy, R.M.L.I., who was an eye-witness of this incident, gave the following account:- “A marine and a bluejacket passing a burning hut were fired at. Mr. A. G. Onslow, Midshipman, with the two men at once opened fire, and, after several shots, firing ceased, but, after a pause, firing was again opened by the occupants of the hut. Captain Hood, who was on the beach at the time, then went up with several men who opened fire. After several volleys had been fired into the hut, the firing still continuing, Captain Hood gave the order to charge, and called on more men to follow. He himself dashed in, accompanied by Mr. Onslow, through the burning hut, and with his sword attacked the men in the cave, the whole time being practically under fire. He first used his sword and then his revolver, and Mr. Onslow bayoneted the third man.”’
Captain Hood’s report: “As the sniping still continued from the village, I collected a few men, with Mr. Onslow, Midshipman (special report), and cleared a cave, the entrance of which was covered by a wicker hut. It contained three men, all riflemen, who were then killed.”
Contemporary newspapers reported the attack on Illig in dramatic terms:
‘Fight in a Cave: Thrilling Incident of a Hand-to-Hand Combat: Some thrilling incidents of the dervish rout near Illig, Italian Somaliland, on April 21st, when the enemy’s entrenchments were stormed by sailors, marines and infantry, are telegraphed by the Daily Mail’s Aden Correspondent. Captain Hood, of H.M.S. Hyacinth, greatly distinguished himself in the close fighting that followed the British charge. With a sword in one hand and a revolver in the other, he entered the cave whence the dervishes were firing and shot down the snipers. Corporal Flowers followed, and bayoneted a dervish who was in the act of spearing Captain Hood from behind, and Midshipman Onslow also gallantly bayoneted several snipers hidden in caves.’
Specially promoted for service in Somaliland 1904 London Gazette 16 November 1906
The Conspicuous Service Cross was instituted in 1901 and converted to the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914. During its short life, only eight awards of the C.S.C. were made: five for South Africa, two for China 1900 and Onslow's for Somaliland in 1904, the last C.S.C. ever to be awarded. The whereabouts of Arthur Onslow’s Africa GSM with clasp and his WWI trio are unknown, though it is believed that his memorial plaque was held at Sheerness Dockyard and may now be in storage at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Arthur Gerald Onslow (1885-1916), the eldest son of Colonel Gerald Onslow R.E., was born in India on 13th May 1885. The Onslow family, originally from Shropshire, is large. Although Arthur’s brothers and immediate ancestors served in the Army, the Navy List has always shown two or three Onslows.
Arthur joined the Navy on 15th January 1900, a few months before his fifteenth birthday. In 1904 the 18 year-old Midshipman Onslow was serving on the brand-new cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth, the flagship of Rear-Admiral George Atkinson-Willes, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Among Atkinson-Willes’ duties was the enforcement of an international embargo against the supply of modern rifles to the Somali tribes of the Horn of Africa. In 1912 Arthur married Elsie Hinde Crouch. Their only child, a daughter, was born in February 1915. On October 15th 1914, at the age of 29, Arthur Onslow was promoted to be Lieutenant-Commander . After a series of commands of torpedo-boats and small destroyers, in 1915 he was appointed to command the newly built ‘M class’ destroyer HMS Onslaught, which formed part of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla, assigned to Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet.
Jutland: The Gallant, “Admirably Executed” Attack on the Battleship S.M.S. Pommern
At the Battle of Jutland in 1916 the Flotilla was stationed on the port quarter of the Battle Fleet during the night action following the first day of fighting. At 01.45 in the morning of June 1st, just as the short summer night was showing the first signs of dawn, it reported “Enemy’s battlefleet steering south-east, approximate bearing south-west. My position ten miles astern of 1st Battle Squadron”. At 02.03 the 1st Division of 12th Destroyer Flotilla began an attack.
Torpedoman Fred Knight of the Onslaught recalled: “We went straight in to attack. It was fast breaking daylight. We carried four 21-inch torpedoes which were all fired - one hitting the third ship in line at a range of 1,000 yards.” Sir John Jellicoe stated in his official despatch: “The attack carried out by the Twelfth Flotilla was admirably executed. Torpedoes…fired at the third ship took effect, and she was observed to blow up... There were many gallant deeds performed by the destroyer flotillas; they surpassed the very highest expectations that I had formed of them.”
The Imperial War Museum holds a sound recording of George Wainford, one of the crew of HMS Onslaught, giving a first-hand account of the action. The two dual revolving 21" Torpedo Tubes slewed towards their firing position at 8 degrees a second. Torpedoes were charged, heaters switched on to reduce dive, high speed set, gyros checked, test firing gear. Flood. Charge the firing reservoir and ready at standby. 02.07: Final preparations and checks completed.
02.08: From the bridge came the order FIRE - the first two torpedoes are off, with high speed set they should hit the battleship scarcely 3000 yards distant in about three minutes. 02.11: Order to FIRE the last pair of torpedoes.
02.12: One, possibly two torpedoes from Onslaught detonates on the port side of the target, igniting the cordite and 6.7" and 11" shells in her magazines....
-----
This lot description has been truncated. Please see the Dix Noonan Webb website for the full lot description.
(The last words of the mortally wounded Lt .Cdr. Onslow at Jutland)
The unique ‘Somaliland 1904’ Conspicuous Service Cross awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. G. Onslow, Royal Navy, who at Illig on the Somali Pirate Coast made gallant charges under point-blank fire through burning huts into concealed caves to bayonet tribesmen who were sniping at the British assault force - Later during the Great War he was present at the Battle of Jutland where he commanded the destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught and made an heroic torpedo attack which sank the battleship S.M.S. Pommern, being, himself, mortally wounded by a direct hit on Onslaught’s bridge - One of only eight C.S.C’s. ever issued and the last awarded example of this medal
Conspicuous Service Cross, E.VII.R, hallmarks for London 1901, a very good original example with bulbous rounded reverse as issued, this contemporarily engraved 'Midshipman A.G. Onslow', good very fine and very rare £3000-4000
---
C.S.C. London Gazette 6th September 1904.
The Official History of the Operations in Somaliland 1901-1904 states: ‘During this operation Hood, with Mr. A. G. Onslow, midshipman, and No. PO-9146 John Edward Flowers, Corporal, Royal Marine Light Infantry, of Fox entered the cave from which they were fired at and cleared it in a hand-to-hand encounter. Major C. H. Kennedy, R.M.L.I., who was an eye-witness of this incident, gave the following account:- “A marine and a bluejacket passing a burning hut were fired at. Mr. A. G. Onslow, Midshipman, with the two men at once opened fire, and, after several shots, firing ceased, but, after a pause, firing was again opened by the occupants of the hut. Captain Hood, who was on the beach at the time, then went up with several men who opened fire. After several volleys had been fired into the hut, the firing still continuing, Captain Hood gave the order to charge, and called on more men to follow. He himself dashed in, accompanied by Mr. Onslow, through the burning hut, and with his sword attacked the men in the cave, the whole time being practically under fire. He first used his sword and then his revolver, and Mr. Onslow bayoneted the third man.”’
Captain Hood’s report: “As the sniping still continued from the village, I collected a few men, with Mr. Onslow, Midshipman (special report), and cleared a cave, the entrance of which was covered by a wicker hut. It contained three men, all riflemen, who were then killed.”
Contemporary newspapers reported the attack on Illig in dramatic terms:
‘Fight in a Cave: Thrilling Incident of a Hand-to-Hand Combat: Some thrilling incidents of the dervish rout near Illig, Italian Somaliland, on April 21st, when the enemy’s entrenchments were stormed by sailors, marines and infantry, are telegraphed by the Daily Mail’s Aden Correspondent. Captain Hood, of H.M.S. Hyacinth, greatly distinguished himself in the close fighting that followed the British charge. With a sword in one hand and a revolver in the other, he entered the cave whence the dervishes were firing and shot down the snipers. Corporal Flowers followed, and bayoneted a dervish who was in the act of spearing Captain Hood from behind, and Midshipman Onslow also gallantly bayoneted several snipers hidden in caves.’
Specially promoted for service in Somaliland 1904 London Gazette 16 November 1906
The Conspicuous Service Cross was instituted in 1901 and converted to the Distinguished Service Cross in 1914. During its short life, only eight awards of the C.S.C. were made: five for South Africa, two for China 1900 and Onslow's for Somaliland in 1904, the last C.S.C. ever to be awarded. The whereabouts of Arthur Onslow’s Africa GSM with clasp and his WWI trio are unknown, though it is believed that his memorial plaque was held at Sheerness Dockyard and may now be in storage at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Arthur Gerald Onslow (1885-1916), the eldest son of Colonel Gerald Onslow R.E., was born in India on 13th May 1885. The Onslow family, originally from Shropshire, is large. Although Arthur’s brothers and immediate ancestors served in the Army, the Navy List has always shown two or three Onslows.
Arthur joined the Navy on 15th January 1900, a few months before his fifteenth birthday. In 1904 the 18 year-old Midshipman Onslow was serving on the brand-new cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth, the flagship of Rear-Admiral George Atkinson-Willes, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Among Atkinson-Willes’ duties was the enforcement of an international embargo against the supply of modern rifles to the Somali tribes of the Horn of Africa. In 1912 Arthur married Elsie Hinde Crouch. Their only child, a daughter, was born in February 1915. On October 15th 1914, at the age of 29, Arthur Onslow was promoted to be Lieutenant-Commander . After a series of commands of torpedo-boats and small destroyers, in 1915 he was appointed to command the newly built ‘M class’ destroyer HMS Onslaught, which formed part of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla, assigned to Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet.
Jutland: The Gallant, “Admirably Executed” Attack on the Battleship S.M.S. Pommern
At the Battle of Jutland in 1916 the Flotilla was stationed on the port quarter of the Battle Fleet during the night action following the first day of fighting. At 01.45 in the morning of June 1st, just as the short summer night was showing the first signs of dawn, it reported “Enemy’s battlefleet steering south-east, approximate bearing south-west. My position ten miles astern of 1st Battle Squadron”. At 02.03 the 1st Division of 12th Destroyer Flotilla began an attack.
Torpedoman Fred Knight of the Onslaught recalled: “We went straight in to attack. It was fast breaking daylight. We carried four 21-inch torpedoes which were all fired - one hitting the third ship in line at a range of 1,000 yards.” Sir John Jellicoe stated in his official despatch: “The attack carried out by the Twelfth Flotilla was admirably executed. Torpedoes…fired at the third ship took effect, and she was observed to blow up... There were many gallant deeds performed by the destroyer flotillas; they surpassed the very highest expectations that I had formed of them.”
The Imperial War Museum holds a sound recording of George Wainford, one of the crew of HMS Onslaught, giving a first-hand account of the action. The two dual revolving 21" Torpedo Tubes slewed towards their firing position at 8 degrees a second. Torpedoes were charged, heaters switched on to reduce dive, high speed set, gyros checked, test firing gear. Flood. Charge the firing reservoir and ready at standby. 02.07: Final preparations and checks completed.
02.08: From the bridge came the order FIRE - the first two torpedoes are off, with high speed set they should hit the battleship scarcely 3000 yards distant in about three minutes. 02.11: Order to FIRE the last pair of torpedoes.
02.12: One, possibly two torpedoes from Onslaught detonates on the port side of the target, igniting the cordite and 6.7" and 11" shells in her magazines....
-----
This lot description has been truncated. Please see the Dix Noonan Webb website for the full lot description.
Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
16 Bolton St
London
W1J 8BQ
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
If you are successful in purchasing lot/s being auctioned by us and opt for the item/s to be sent to you, we will use the following methods of shipment:
Within the UK
If you live within the UK, items will be despatched using Royal Mail Special Delivery. This service provides parcel tracking (via the Royal Mail website) and next weekday delivery (betwen 9am and 1pm). Items delivered within the UK are covered by our insurance company. Heavy and bulky lots will be sent by courier, in discussion with the client.
Outside of the UK
If the item/s being sent are worth under £1000 in total they are sent using Royal Mail’s Signed For International service. This ensures the item must be signed for when it is delivered.
If the item/s being sent are valued at over £1000 in total they will be sent using FedEx. This service allows next day delivery to customers in many parts of the US and parcels are fully trackable using the FedEx website.
Shipping Exceptions
Certain lots such as those containing glass or sharp implements, etc., may not be suitable for in-house shipping within or outside of the UK. Please contact Noonans with any queries.
Important Information
Buyers Premium: 20%
Other Information: Please visit www.dnw.co.uk for more information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL BUYERS
All lots in DNW auctions are automatically reserved at the bid step which reflects 80% of the lower estimate figure, unless otherwise instructed by the vendor.
All multiple lots (lots containing two or more items) with the exception of designated sets of notes, are sold as viewed and not subject to return. Buyers are recommended to view such lots.
Lots marked ‘x’ in dark blue are subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the EU.
Important Notice Advance Bidding Facility
Please note that our easy-to-use advance bidding facility, which replaces the ‘old-fashioned’ commission bid system, provides all bidders with total control over their bids right up to the point that the lot is offered for sale.
Bids made online cannot be seen by others and do not go live until the actual moment that the lot in question is being offered for sale. All bids can be easily altered or cancelled by the bidder prior to this point. An automated confirmatory email will be sent confirming all bids and alterations.
Anyone with a valid email address can easily register to bid online.
There is no additional charge for online bidding and it is not necessary to pre-register a payment card in order to do so.
It is recommended that all bidders execute their own bids, either prior to the auction by using this facility or live as the auction is taking place.
Whilst we are still happy to execute all bids submitted in writing or by phone, fax or any other method, it should be noted that all bids left with us will be entered at our offices using the same bidding facility to which all our clients now have access. There is, therefore, no better way of ensuring the accuracy of your advance bids than to place them yourself online.
For any support queries please contact: Ian Anderson ian@dnw.co.uk (+44) 20 7016 1751
