Orders, Decorations and Medals

Six: Master at Arms J. R. Butland, Royal Navy, together with a rare wartime diary of the ship’s services off Gallipoli

China 1900, no clasp (Sh. Cpl. 1Cl., H.M.S. Alacrity); 1914-15 Star Trio (128971 M.A.A., R.N.); Coronation 1911; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (M.A.A., H.M.S. Apollo) together with his ‘Diary of Events during the War’ as Master at Arms of the cruiser H.M.S. Minerva, from 2 August 1914 to 31 December 1917, providing an exceptional record of the ship’s commission in the Mediterranean, the Dardanelles, bombardment of Gallipoli for the landings, and German East Africa, 240pp with many enclosures, generally good very fine (6) £800-1000

John Robert Butland was born at Alverstoke, Hampshire, on 24 February 1869. He joined the Royal Navy in February 1887, serving in many ships, including H.M.S. Alacrity off the coast of China during the operations there in 1900. He had risen to the rate of Master at Arms by the time he was pensioned in February 1912. Joining the Royal Fleet Reserve in December 1912, he was recalled on 2 August 1914, as Master at Arms, to H.M.S. Minerva, serving aboard that ship during her entire commission until she was paid off at Simons Town in December 1917. He subsequently served on Victory I until he was finally discharged on 21 February 1919.

The following extracts from his diary give a good idea of its content for some of the more important periods of the ship’s service during the war:

‘25th April 1915 (Sunday). Action was sounded off at 4.15 a.m. as the Turks couldn’t sleep seemingly. They opened fire from shore on ship, missed again this time. At 4.20 a.m. Minerva, Talbot and Prince George were in action as hard as they could go. By this time both sides were having hits. The transports had arrived during the night with 15,000 troops and commenced landing operations in face of numerous guns on the hills. 5 a.m. found the fleet in full action shelling the country all over; aeroplanes were up locating the shore batteries. By noon most of the troops were on shore and were firing their field guns from the top of the first ridge of hill at the Turks. This was considered smart work as bursting shells were continually arriving. This fighting continued up to 8 p.m. when it stopped practically until early tomorrow, when we expect to commence it again. 141 shells were fired from Minerva today. Ships darkened at 7.30. Some firing on shore during the night.’

‘26th April. In company of ships bombarding, today we were ordered to watch Balloon Ship as German aeroplanes were trying yesterday to damage it. Bombardment and fighting in full swing. Several ships hit, shells dropping very close to Minerva, but no hits. 11 a.m. destroyer Esk was hit with shell. One man brought to Minerva from her, dangerously wounded shot through the lungs. She then returned to her former position assisting to land troops. During the evening we came in for special attention, they were probably trying to hit the balloon which was still up directing the fire of the ship. All men who were not actually on duty on the upper deck were ordered below as shrapnel shells were bursting over ship. Firing on both sides continued till dark. Darkened ship at 7.30. Night, as far as ships were concerned, quiet.’

‘26th May 1915. At sea enroute to Tenedos, weather fine. Arrived Tenedos 11 a.m. Proceed to island of Embros to replace two aeroplanes from Aeroplane Ship Ark Royal. As we arrived at base to exchange aeroplanes, so we saw H.M.S. Triumph torpedoed and sank by enemy’s submarine. At 12.30 noon our life saving crafts hurried to the scene and picked up some survivors and brought them to base and transferred them to H.M.S. Lord Nelson. At present all ships are steaming full speed endeavouring to round up the submarine, Minerva included in the chase. She has been sighted once since but dived again. 9 p.m. Minerva ordered back to Embros (the base) patrolling enroute. Ship darkened. We heard this evening Triumph was torpedoed at 12.10 - sank at 12.30. Destroyers and Mine Sweepers succeeded in rescuing 34 officers and 661 men from the water, nearly the whole of the ship’s company. 11 p.m. Minerva ordered to proceed back to Iros with new aeroplane for patrolling duties off Smyrna. Night spent at sea enroute.’

‘6th August 1915. In Gulf of Saros assisting the troops to land from Minerva by bombarding the shore positions. 11.30 a.m. troops returned to beach. Sent in ship’s boats for them and in this work we lost one boy killed and 4 wounded belonging to the boats. Destroyer Jed, 1 killed. Troops lost, 35 killed, 14 wounded. This is the hottest engagement Minerva has been in so far. All troops were on board again by 12.45 and we left the scene of action for Tenedos, arriving there at 7 p.m. Discharged the troops and left at 9 p.m. for Mudros. Darkened ship at 9 p.m. Night quiet.’