Orders, Decorations and Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (W. Lumsden, A.B., H.M.S. Alecto) nearly extremely fine £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of East and West Africa Medals to the Royal Navy.

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William Lumsden was born in South Leith, Edinburgh on 11 November 1870. A Labourer by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1886. He served aboard the Alecto as an Able Seaman, January 1896-March 1897, during which time he qualified for the ‘Benin 1897’ clasp - one of 58 clasps to ship. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class in October 1898 but when time expired in November 1900 his rank had reverted to Able Seaman. He transferred to the R.F.A. in March 1901 but was recalled to active service in August 1914. As an Able Seaman aboard the cruiser Hawke, he was killed in action on 15 October 1914, aged 44 years, when the ship was sunk by a torpedo from the German submarine U.9.

The protected cruisers Hawke and Endymion, part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, were on patrol in the North Sea off the N.E. coast. They both stopped so that a boat from the Hawke could collect mail from the Endymion. Having made the delivery, the Endymion steamed off oblivious to the fact that the still stationary Hawke had become prey to a German submarine. Listing and sinking within a few minutes, the ship was only able to put out two boats, only one of which was recovered. The total loss of life in the disaster numbered nearly 500 officer and men. The survivors numbered 4 officers and 66 men.

William Lumsden, one of those killed in the disaster, was the son of David and Henrietta Lumsden of Leith and the husband of Margaret Lumsden of 7 Richmond Terrace, Edinburgh. His name is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Sold with copied service papers and other research.