Orders, Decorations and Medals

A battle of Jutland D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Stoker William Johns, Royal Navy, for services aboard H.M.S. Marlborough when she was hit by a torpedo

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (281415 W. Johns, Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Marlborough 31 May-1 June 1916); China 1900, no clasp (Sto. H.M.S. Hermione); 1914-15 Star (281415 Ch. Sto. R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Ch. Sto. R.N.) officially re-impressed naming; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Cumberland) the China and L.S. & G.C. with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (5) £1200-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 September 1916: ‘For services rendered in the action in the North Sea 31 May-1 June 1916’.

William Johns was born at redruth, Cornwall, on 1 January 1876, and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 17 January 1896. He joined Marlborough in June 1914, as an Acting Chief Stoker, and received promotion to Chief Stoker in November of that year. He served in Marlborough until February 1918, including the battle of Jutland for which he was awarded the D.S.M. He is also Also entitled to the Victory Medal. Sold with copy record of service.

For further details of the services of H.M.S. Marlborough at the battle of Jutland see Lot 1411 for the D.S.O. group awarded to her Executive Commander.