Orders, Decorations and Medals

Seven: Chief Stoker T. G. Capon, Royal Navy

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Sto., H.M.S. Tartar); 1914-15 Star (277383 Ch. Sto. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (277383 Ch. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (277383 Chief Stoker, H.M.S. Dominion); Special Constabulary Medal, G.V.R., coinage head (Thomas Capon); Italy, Al Valore Militare, silver, mint mark ‘FG’, unnamed as issued, the first with some contact marks but generally good very fine and scarce (7) £1200-1500

Al Valore Militare London Gazette 17 November 1917. The recommendation states: ‘Upon the occasion of the loss of H.M.S. Falmouth on the 19th-20th August, 1916, he distinguished himself and performed meritorious service in attempting to save the ship.’

The Falmouth of the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, was commanded by Captain J. D. Edwards and had a complement of 376. On August 19th, 1916, she was part of a cruiser screen guarding the Battle Fleet. In the course of this duty Falmouth engaged two Zeppelins which were shadowing the British, and just about 5 p.m. turned back to close her consorts. At that moment she ran across the line of fire of the German submarine U-66, Lt. Cdr. von Bothner, which discharged two torpedoes at less than 1,000 yards range, both striking Falmouth on the starboard side. The ship did not sink for many hours and throughout the following night proceeded under her own steam until the early morning, when she was taken in tow by two tugs from Immingham.

Quite unsuspected by the British the Germans had established a line of submarines running out from Flamborough Head to intercept shipping approaching the Humber. As Falmouth was towed directly across this line she became an easy target for the enemy and the U-63 got home two torpedoes which, surprisingly enough, did not sink the vessel, though she had now been hit four times. She remained afloat for another eight hours and eventually sank five miles south of Flamborough Head. All the crew were taken off by the escorting destroyers and there was no loss of life, but one stoker died from his injuries later.

Thomas George Capon was born at Offham, Kent, and joined the Navy in July 1894. He served in H.M.S. Falmouth from 5 September 1911 until she was sunk, then at Pembroke Barracks until 27 August 1917, when he joined H.M.S. Ceres (R.F.R. Chatham) where he served until demobilised on 14 March 1919. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in July 1909. Sold with copy service record.