Orders, Decorations and Medals

A poignant Battle of Jutland commemorative medal, 18ct. gold, by Spink & Son, obverse, draped White Ensign and Union Flag, with central trident and dated shield, ‘31 May 1916’, and surround inscription, ‘To The Glorious Memory of Those Who Fought That Day’, reverse, inscription within wreath, ‘The German Fleet Attacked off the Coast of Jutland and Driven Back into Port with Heavy Loss / Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Commander in Chief, Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty, Commanding Battle Cruiser Fleet’, and ‘May 31st 1916’ above, the edge of the medal with contemporary private inscription, ‘Hoping Surgeon Lewis Still Lives’, 45mm., traces of once having had a suspension ring or loop, edge bruising, otherwise very fine and interesting £1200-1500

Charles Williams Lewis, a Naval Surgeon and the son of Charles and Elizabeth Lewis of Cape Town, South Africa, was one of 1,266 officers and ratings who died in a massive explosion after the battle cruiser Queen Mary took several direct hits in a row. He was 36 years of age and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Memorial.