Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Petty Officer Telegraphist F. H. McNeale, Royal Navy, killed in action when H.M.S. Hawke was sunk by the German submarine U-9, 15 October 1914

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (233305 Lg. Tel., H.M.S. Perseus); 1914-15 Star (2333305 P.O. Tel., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (233305 P.O. Tel., R.N.) extremely fine (4) £220-260

Frank Hansford McNeale was born in Westminster, London, on 15 January 1889. A Cashier at the Army and Navy Stores, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1905. Rising in rank to Able Seaman in February 1907, he was ranked as a Telegraphist in January 1908 when serving on the Attentive. Ranked as Acting Leading Telegraphist in November 1910, he was confirmed in that rank in February 1911. As such he served on the Perseus, April 1911-May 1913, participating in the actions in the Persian Gulf. On 6 August 1914, with the onset of war, McNeale joined the protected cruiser Hawke. On 15 October 1914 he was killed in action when the cruiser was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-9. Frank Hansford McNeale, a native of Whitehall, London, was the son of Henry and Keziah Jane McNeale of 74 Abbotts Road, Southall, Middlesex. His name is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

The old cruiser formed part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron detailed to blockade and patrol the northern trade routes of the North Sea. On 15 October the Hawke was in company with her sister ship the Endymion. At 9.30 a.m., the two ships stopped and a boat was sent from the Hawke to the Endymion to collect mail. The scene was reminiscent of the sinking of the Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy the previous month; more so, as the two stationary ships were spotted by the same submarine under its commander, Lieutenant Otto Weddigen, who wrought havoc on that occasion. Both ships then got under way, with the Hawke, having had to recover its boat, lagging behind. At 10.30 a.m., while still getting up speed, she was hit by a torpedo and sank within a few minutes. Only two boats managed to get away from the stricken ship - one of which disappeared; the men of the surviving boat and those found on a raft - 4 officers and 66 men were the only survivors; nearly 500 officers and men of the Hawke were killed. Sold with copied service paper and research details.