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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 271

The British War Medal awarded to Leading Stoker W. Will, Royal Navy, who was Killed in Action at the Battle of Jutland aboard the Black Prince

British War Medal 1914-20 (SS.111544 W. Will. L. Sto. R.N.), very fine

William Thomas Matthews was a native of Islington, London, and the son of Mr and Mrs W. T. S. Matthews, of 19, Whitehall Park Road, Chiswick, London. He served during the Great War as Carpenter’s Crew with H.M.S. Black Prince, and was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland.

During the late afternoon and night of 31 May the Black Prince had lost touch with the main fleet, and at about 00.15 on 1 June she found herself 1,600 yards from ships of the German 1st Battle Squadron. Illuminated by searchlights, several German battleships then swept her with fire at point blank range. Unable to respond, she burst into flames and four minutes later after a terrific explosion she sank with all hands - 37 officers, 815 ratings, and 5 civilians. Matthews is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

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Sold for
£35

Starting price
£10