Six: Chief Engine Room Artificer D. C. Nute, Royal Navy, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Ocean in the Dardanelles, 18 March 1915

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Ch. E.R.A., H.M.S. Magicienne) small impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (153082 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (153082 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Ch. E.R.A., H.M.S. Challenger); Italy, Messian Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed, first and fourth with contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Tuppen Collection of Naval Medals to Engine Room Officers.

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David Charles Nute was born in Ford, Devonport on 12 December 1868. An Engine-Fitter by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class on 10 January 1890 and was confirmed in that rank in July 1891. Promoted to E.R.A.3rd Class in January 1893 when on Hyacinth; E.R.A. 2nd Class in January 1897 when on Howe; and C.E.R.A. 2nd Class in April 1899 when at Vivid II. He served on Magicienne, October 1899-June 1901, seeing service in the Boer War. Nute attained the rank of C.E.R.A. 1st Class in April 1905 when on Challenger, on which ship he also received the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. He was serving on the armoured cruiser Sutlej, May 1908-November 1909 when she took part in the the rescue operations at Messina following the disastrous earthquake of 28 December 1908. Nutt was pensioned on 12 January 1912 but returned to service in the Great War. He was serving on the old battleship Ocean when she struck a mine and sank during operations in the Dardanelles, 18 March 1915. Surviving the experience, Nute served for the remainder of the war based at Vivid II and III. With copied service papers.