Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Ordinary Seaman C. W. Johnson, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (J.22499 Ord., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.22499 Ord., R.N.); together with, H.M.S. Natal presentation medal, silver-gilt, 25mm, obverse inscribed ‘Presented to H.M.S. Natal 1915’, reverse inscribed ‘From the people of Natal’, double loop suspension, edge inscribed ‘Charles W. Johnson’, nearly extremely fine (4) £100-150

Ordinary Seaman Charles William Johnson was killed at Cromarty Harbour on 30 December 1915 when H.M.S. Natal blew up as a result of an internal explosion, with the loss of over half her crew. During the Great War the Royal Navy lost 4 ships to internal explosions whilst lying in harbour, the other three being, H.M.S. Bulwark, H.M.S. Princess Irene and H.M.S. Vanguard. Refer to footnote of previous lot.