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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 394

Five: Master-At-Arms W. J. Bray, Royal Navy, who served aboard Thunderer at the Battle of Jutland

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (W. J Bray, Ord. H.M.S. Niobe); 1914-15 Star (191406, W. J. Bray, Sh. Cpl. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (191406 W. J. Bray. Sh. Cpl. 1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (191406 W. J. Bray, Sh. Corpl. 1Cl., H.M.S. Thunderer:), good very fine (5)

William John Bray was born at Shaldon, Devon on 2 October 1880 and worked as a gardner prior to enlisting as Boy Class II on 10 November 1896. Reaching his majority with Cambridge in 1898 he was posted to Niobe in December of that year. With her he saw service during the Anglo-Boer War, being promoted Able Seaman after its conclusion in 1902.

Promoted Leading Stoker with Vivid I in 1904, he was further advanced Ship's Corporal with Cumberland in 1910. Bray was serving aboard H.M.S. Thunderer on the outbreak of the Great War and was still with her during the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. Thunderer was the eighth ship in line and fired thirty-seven of her 13.5-inch shells during the Battle.

Bray left Thunderer in May 1917 and served ashore for the rest of the war. He joined the Battleship Ramillies in 1919 and was advanced Master-At-Arms with her in April of that year. Bray was finally discharged on 29 November 1920.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£80