Seven: Victualling Chief Petty Officer D. S. Thompson, Royal Navy, who served on H.M.S. Warspite at the battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (347286 S.S.2 R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (347286 V.C.P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, fine and better (7) £100-140

David Stuart Thompson was born in Stonehouse, Devon on 14 March 1890. He entered the Royal Navy as a S.S.B. on 27 September 1905, being advanced to S.S.A. in March 1908. Served on the destroyer H.M.S. Albatross, August 1914-March 1915. Then served on the battleship H.M.S. Warspite, April 1915- September 1916, being promoted to 2nd Ship’s Steward in July 1915 and Ship’s Steward in June 1916. As such he was present on board the ship at the battle of Jutland, 31 May/1 June 1916. On that memorable occasion, as part of the 5th Battle Squadron, the ship was hit by no less than 13 ‘large projectiles’, several of them when her helm jammed and forced her out of line. Making an involuntary circle at ‘Windy Corner’, she became the prime target of the ‘big guns’ of the High Seas Fleet. Surviving this ordeal, Thompson gained the rank of Victualling Chief Petty Officer in March 1918 when on H.M.S. Cambrian and Supply Chief Petty Officer in November 1922. His papers record service until 1928 and he later served in the Second World War.

With W.W.2 card forwarding box addressed to ‘Mr D. S. Thompson, 18 Fleet Street, Keyham, Devonport’, with associated slip; and with copied service papers and ‘Jutland’ research.