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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 436

A 'Battle of Jutland 1916' group of five awarded to Armourer's Mate A. W. Eastland, Royal Navy who was awarded the Russian Cross of St. George for his role in the battle

1914-15 Star (168566, A. W. Eastland, Ar. Mte., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (168566 A. W. Eastland. A. R. Mte. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (168566 A. W. Eastland, Armr Mte. H.M.S. Excellent.); Russia, Imperial, Cross of St. George, 4th Class, numbered '1272544' to the reverse, mounted for wear, light contact wear and pitting, very fine (5)

Albert William Eastland was born at Redhill, Surrey on 13 June 1872, the son of George and Harriet Eastland of Hookwood, Woodlands, Charlwood. Enlisting in the Royal Navy as Armourer's Crew on 27 June 1892 his first posting afloat was with the warship Hibernia the next year.

He served well for many years, being promoted Armourer's Mate with St. George on 5 September 1902. Seeing further service with a variety of ships including Revenge, Bellerophon and Renown he appears on the 1901 and 1911 census living at Southampton.

Ashore on the outbreak of the Great War Eastland was posted to the battleship Benbow on 7 October 1914. In this Battleship he was to see action at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 on which occasion she was serving as the flagship of Admiral Sturdee. She formed part of Admiral Jellicoe's line and took part in crossing the 'T' of the German line.

They fired off forty 13.5-inch shells and sixty of their 6-inch shells in the course of the action without take a hit in exchange. At one stage they were reportedly targeting the battlecruiser DerfflingerBenbow.

Eastland continued to serve aboard Benbow until 22 February 1917 when he went ashore, remaining there for the rest of the war. He was demobilised on 7 October 1919; sold together with a medal roll for the Russian Cross of St. George, 4th class.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£420