The Collection of Medals Formed by Bill and Angela Strong

Three: Yeoman of Signals T. Hunt, Royal Navy, killed in action, when H.M.S. Goliath was sunk off Cape Helles, 13 May 1915

1914-15 Star (237755 Y.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (237755 Y.S. R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Hunt) extremely fine (4) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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After the landing of troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula, fire support from naval vessels became ever important. Old pre-dreadnought battleships were assigned this task. On 13 May 1915, whilst at anchor in company with Cornwallis in Morto Bay, the old battleship Goliath was attacked by the Turkish destroyer Mouavenet-Millieh, which in fog, evaded the allied destroyer screen and fired three torpedoes in quick succession. The first hit Goliath abreast the fore turret, the second abreast the foremost funnel and a third abreast the after turret. So swiftly did the battleship sink that many of those below were drowned before they could reach the upper deck. Of the 750 on board Goliath about 570, including Captain Shelford and Yeoman of Signals Hunt, were drowned.

Thomas Hunt was born in West Grinstead, Sussex on 18 January 1891. A Carter’s Boy by occupation, he enlisted in to the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 20 November 1906, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in May 1907. Hunt was promoted to Ordinary Signaller in January 1909 when Monmouth and thence to Signaller on the same vessel in October 1909. Serving once more on Monmouth he was promoted to Leading Signaller in January 1914 and attained the rank of Yeoman of Signals on the Goliath in February 1915.

With damaged named medal card box lids, Admiralty forwarding slip and copied service paper.