Four: Captain C. S. Hazeon, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who survived the explosion that destroyed H.M.S. Natal on 30 December 1915, and was subsequently killed in action when H.M.S. Hampshire was sunk on 5 June 1916

1914-15 Star (Capt. C. S. Hazeon, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. S. Hazeon. R.M.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued; Memorial Plaque (Cyril Stafford Hazeon); together with a H.M.S. Hampshire lapel badge, nearly extremely fine (5) £700-£900

Cyril Stafford Hazeon was born in Chiswick, London, on 25 June 1883 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 1 January 1901. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1902, he served in H.M.S. Minerva from 22 September 1908 to 17 October 1910, and took part in the relief operations following the Messiana Earthquake, 28 December 1908.

Promoted Captain on 1 January 1912, Hazeon served during the Great War initially in H.M.S. Natal, and narrowly escaped being blown up when the Natal was sunk by an internal explosion that destroyed the armoured cruiser whilst at anchor in the Cromarty Firth on 30 December 1915. Out of her complement of over 700 men more than half (25 officers and 380 ratings) perished. The loss of life would have been even greater had not most of the off-duty watch been absent on shore leave at the time.

Hazeon transferred to H.M.S. Hampshire on 16 February 1916, and his luck ran out when he was killed in action when the Hampshire, conveying Field Marshal Lord Kitchener on a diplomatic mission to Russia, struck a German-mine off Orkney on 5 June 1916 and sank within 15 minutes with the loss of 737 lives. There were only 12 survivors. Hazeon’s body was recovered from the sea and he is buried in Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy, Orkney.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; copied record of service and other research.