Auction Catalogue

4 April 2001

Starting at 1:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Regus Conference Centre  12 St James Square  London  SW1Y 4RB

Lot

№ 946

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4 April 2001

Hammer Price:
£950

An interesting pair to Gunner T. W. Bage, Durham Royal Garrison Artillery, who was present at the Bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1914

British War Medal (5210 Gnr., R.A.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (337546 Gnr., Durh. R.G.A.); together with a badge inscribed ‘On War Service 1915’, nearly very fine (3) £200-250

On the 15th December 1914, a German naval raiding force, comprising of four battle cruisers, one heavy cruiser, and one light cruiser, under the command of Vice-Admiral Hipper, steamed across the North Sea with the object of laying mines along the English coast and bombarding what they believed to be the fortified coastal towns of Hartlepool and Scarborough. As they approached the English coast, the force split in two, with the Seydlitz, Moltke and Blucher proceeding to Hartlepool.

Scarborough was in fact nothing more than a pleasant seaside port, with no fortification whatsoever. However, Hartlepool was at the time serving as a base for a naval flotilla and as a result did have some defences, these consisted of two coastal batteries, both of which were defending the entrance to the harbour. The batteries were manned by the Durham R.G.A. (T.F.), comprising 11 officers and 155 other ranks, most of whom were local men living in or around the town.

As was normal practice at that time, the batteries were already manned and ready for action by 6:30am, so that when warning was received that three unidentified warships were approaching at speed, the territorial gunners were already in position. At 8:10am precisely the
Seydlitz opened fire on the coastal defence batteries. During the ensuing engagement which lasted some 42 minutes, the German warships fired 1,150 shells, killing 112 and wounding over 200 civilians, and doing extensive damage to the town and docks. Amazingly the Durham R.G.A. sustained only two fatalities.

The excellent behaviour and resolute action of the Durham R.G.A., who were unique in that they were the only coast defence unit to engage the enemy in action throughout the First World War, was recognised by the award of several gallantry medals. The Commanding Officer received a D.S.O.; and a D.S.M. and two M.M’s.were gazetted to three of the Gun Captains. These Military Medal’s were awarded retrospectively, as this medal was not instituted until March 1916. They were presented in April 1916, and were the very first awards of this medal to be presented.
(The Territorial Artillery 1908-1988, by Norman Litchfield refers).

Sold with copy of roll of those present at the Bombardment of the Hartlepools, which includes the name of Gunner T. W. Bage, also copy of m.i.c confirming B.W.M. as sole entitlement.