Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 438

Four: Petty Officer F. J. Beasley, Royal Navy, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Irresistible on 18 March 1915 by shore batteries

1914-15 Star (K.19812, F. J. Bealey, Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.19812 F. J. Beasley. Act. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (K.19812 F. J. Beasley. S.P.O. H.M.S. Dauntless.), residue to reverse of all four, somewhat obscuring the naming of first, polished, contact wear overall, nearly very fine (4)

Frank Joseph Beasley was born at King's Cross on 4 April 1896 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as a Stoker Class II on 22 July 1913. He joined Irresistible in November of that same year and entered the Great War as part of the Channel Fleet. She covered the Ostend landings but was later withdrawn from duties in Europe to the Mediterranean.

Here she was part of the effort to force passage through the Dardanelles straights, landing shore parties, covering minelayers and bombarding Turkish shore positions. Whilst attempting to get close to an Ottoman battery on 18 March 1915 Irresistible came under the guns of the Hamidieh I battery. This position opened fire and after four salvoes and explosion rocked Irresistible, she had been struck around the waterline.

Taking on water the ship withdrew and idled her engines, this however proved a deadly mistake and she struck a mine around 16:15. This detonated under her starboard engine, crippling her and causing extensive damage, unable to manouvre she drifted into range of the Turkish gunners and began to take fire. Attempts to take her under tow failed and eventually her crew where taken off as she sank, although 150 men became casualties in the hail of fire from the shore.

Beasley survived the fighting and was posted to Amethyst the day after the sinking, remaining the the Mediterranean. She covered the Cape Helles landings and patrolled the region as the Gallipoli campaign came to an end. Eventually she was ordered to South America in 1916 with Beasley serving their until 1918 when in October, he joined Farnham. After the war he served with a number of vessels being promoted Stoker Petty Officer with Malaya and earning his L.S. & G.C. with Dauntless.

Further advanced Chief Stoker in 1931 Beasley was still serving in 1935 and was awarded the Jubilee Medal in silver (Medal). That same year he was pensioned, returning briefly to service in 1940 he was invalided from Victory II the same day he was mobilised; sold together with copied medal rolls and service papers.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£100

Starting price
£70