Five: Commander R. C. Standring, Mersey Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who served with the Nelson Battalion R.N.D. at Antwerp in 1914, and aboard Caroline at Jutland in 1916

1914 Star (Lieut. Comr. R. C. Standring, R.N.V.R. Nelson Bttn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr. R. C. Standring. R.N.V.R.); Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1922; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Lt. Commdr. R. C. Standring. R.N.V.R. Mersey Div.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine and scarce (5) £400-£500

Robert Casson Standring was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1872, and joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve shortly after it was formed in June 1903. His name first appears in the list of volunteer officers in the July 1904 Navy List where he is shown as a Lieutenant R.N.V.R. with seniority of 17 May 1904. This suggests previous sea experience. The Navy List June 1912 shows that he was attached to the Mersey Division when he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 17 May 1912.
He was the senior of many R.N.V.R. officers who were mobilised in August 1914 and sent to join the newly formed Nelson Battalion of the Royal Naval Division. He and his battalion, after the merest semblance of military training, and only partially equipped with kit, were shipped to Ostend in October where they took part in the Defence of Antwerp. After its fall the battalion retreated to Ostend and returned to England.
On 5 November 1914, he was appointed to President Additional as Assistant to Mobilising Officer at Hull. After seven days in this appointment he was placed on the books of H.M.S. Victory to join the light cruiser H.M.S. Caroline on commissioning. He served in this ship attached to the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron during the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.
He was admitted to Hospital Ship Garth Castle on 14 February 1917, with pneumonia. After a satisfactory survey he was again admitted to H.M. Naval Hospital Granton, still suffering from pneumonia. He was discharged on 9 April 1917, to Stuart Naval Hospital at Bute. He was resurveyed in June 1917 and found unfit (pneumonia); resurveyed again in July 1917 and found fit for light duty only. Appointed to H.M.S. Wildfire additional for duty with S.N.O. Southend on Sea until 8 October 1917. On resurvey on 19 October 1917 was found unfit for service. On 1 December 1917, he was found fit for service and, on 6 January 1918, he was appointed to H.M.S. President Additional as Admiralty Despatch Bearer (Tempy.). He was granted his Watchkeeping Certificate and in March 1918 he was appointed to H.M.S. Wildfire, additional, for duty with S.N.O. Southend on Sea (Tempy.). Found unfit for service on 24 May 1918, he was demobilized on 10 March 1919. He was approved to retain the Acting rank of Commander, 12 May 1921, and was placed on the Retired List on 15 November 1921, with promotion to Commander (Retd).

Sold with copied research including full record of service.