Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Chief Engine Room Artificer W. T. Carr, Royal Navy

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Terrible), impressed naming, note: not entitled to clasps; China 1900, 1 clasp, Taku Forts (Ch. E.R.A. 2Cl., H.M.S. Whiting); 1914-15 Star (141652 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (141652 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue (Ch. E.R.A.2 Cl., H.M.S. Goliath) minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (6) £700-800

William Thomas Carr was born in Deptford, Kent, on 12 November 1864. A Fitter by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in June 1887. He was confirmed in that rank in November 1888 when on the Calypso, and was advanced to E.R.A. 3rd Class whilst on the same ship in June 1890. He was promoted to E.R.A. 2nd Class whilst on the Ringarooma in June 1894 and Chief E.R.A. 2nd Class when based at the Chatham Torpedo Store in May 1898. During the Boer War he served aboard the 1st class cruiser Terrible, for which was awarded the Queen’s medal with no clasp. Then during the China War he served aboard the destroyer Whiting, for which he was awarded the Queen’s medal with clasp for Taku Forts. Carr attained the rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer in April 1904 when on the Triton and was pensioned ashore on 27 June 1909. With the onset of war he was recalled and posted to the armoured cruiser Cressy. He was serving aboard her when she was sunk in the North Sea, together with her sister ships, the Aboukir and Hogue, by the German submarine U.9, on 22 September 1914. Suffering as a result of this experience he was invalided on 7 October 1914. Sold with riband bar and copied service papers. A total of 55 officers and other ranks of the Whiting were entitled to the China Medal with single clasp ‘Taku Forts’.