Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Able Seaman J. Brown, Royal Navy, killed in action on H.M.S. Warrior at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916

1914-15 Star (J.17342 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.17342 A.B., R.N.); Memorial Plaque (James Brown) good very fine (4) £250-300

Able Seaman James Brown, R.N. was killed in action when serving aboard the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Warrior at the battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. Warrior formed part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron serving with the Grand Fleet. During the battle the armoured cruisers Defence and Warrior were closing with the crippled German light cruiser Wiesbaden, when they were surprised by heavy units of the German High Seas fleet. Under intense fire Defence blew up and Warrior was heavily damaged and only saved from a similar fate by the erratic manoeuvres of the battleship Warspite. The battleship’s steering had jammed and it made two complete circles in front of the German battle fleet, which turned every gun that could bear upon it. Able to withdraw, the Warrior made for home and was subsequently taken in tow by the seaplane carrier Engadine. However, too badly damaged to survive, Warrior foundered in the morning of 1 June. During the battle she had suffered 71 men killed and 36 wounded.