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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 811

A Great War 1915 ´Dardanelles´ Casualty to Private W. Webb, Royal Marine Light Infantry, H.M.S. Goliath, Three Torpedoes Hit the Ship Which Sank So Quickly That Most Men on the Lower-Decks Were Drowned Before They Could Escape 1914-15 Star (Ply. 10573. Pte. W. Webb, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Plu. 10573 Pte. W. Webb. R.M.L.I.), good very fine, with photographic image of recipient (3) Estimate £ 140-180 10573 Private William Webb, born Lambeth, London, 1882; joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1.1.1901 and was a member of the Marine Company serving in H.M.S. Goliath, which was part of the Mediterranean Fleet off Gallipoli during the Great War. She was one of several Capital ships whose powerful guns were retained for the purpose of shelling Turkish troops and positions. On the night of the 12th May 1915 the Goliath was at anchor with H.M.S. Cornwallis in Morto Bay, they were protected by five destroyers, ´The night was very dark, with thick fog rolling out to sea from the shore which made conditions ideal for a daring raid by Lt. Cdr. Firle, a German naval officer in charge of the Turkish destroyer Mouavenet-Millieh. His craft was capable of 35 knots and carried 18 inch torpedo tubes. Hugging the shore he found the battleships at about 1.15am on the morning of the 13th May and despite being spotted, was able to discharge three torpedoes before escaping. All three hit Goliath, which sunk so swiftly that many men on the lower decks were drowned before they could reach the upper deck. Of the 750 on board, 570, including her Captain, were lost. Private Webb is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial´ (Leaving All That Was Dear, refers)

Sold for
£170