The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Six: 1914-15 Star Trio (153097. W. Horton, S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Lg. Sto. 1Cl., H.M.S. Montagu); Russian Medal for Zeal, silver (Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Jupiter) officially impressed naming; Russian Medal of St George for Bravery, 4th class, reverse numbered ‘1272914’, good very fine (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Sold with original parchment Certificate of Service which confirms all medals including ‘Russian Medal of St George, 4th class (No. 127914) for services rendered in Battle of Jutland.’

London Gazette 19 November 1915 "The King is pleased to give and grant to the Officers and Men of H.M.S. JUPITER the authority to wear decorations conferred upon them by H.M. the Emperor of Russia in recognition of valuable services rendered by them."

In January 1915 the Admiralty received a request for assistance from the Russian Government. The icebreaker they employed to keep open the sea passage to Archangel in the White Sea during the winter months had broken down and could not be repaired for some months, and they therefore asked if the British Navy could assist them. The Tyne Guard ship H.M.S. JUPITER, an old Majestic-Class Battle Ship built in 1895 was selected for the job and left the UK for Archangel on 5 February 1915. In making the passage to Archangel JUPITER freed a number of ships stuck in the ice by using explosive charges and it was not uncommon for the JUPITER to become icebound herself during the attempts to keep the passage open to enable badly needed war supplies to reach the front. Foremost amongst these was the S.S. THRACIA “loaded with special war material” which was freed with explosives and taken in tow by JUPITER, her crew each receiving a salvage award. Temperatures of minus 20oC were not uncommon and life aboard ship was far from pleasant. JUPITER remained in the White Sea area until early May when the Russian icebreaker was back on station. A grateful Tzar expressed his appreciation of H.M.S. JUPITER's services by awarding numerous orders and decorations to the Officers of that Ship. Captain Drury St Aubyn Wake R.N., was awarded the Order of St Vladimir, 4th Class. The Commander of H.M.S. JUPITER received the Order of St Anne, 3rd Class. Seven Officers received the Order of Stanislaus, 2nd Class, and four Officers received the Order of St Stanislaus, 3rd Class. The Medal for Zeal was awarded to each of the Petty Officers and Men. The edge of the Medal is named with the man's name, service number and H.M.S. JUPITER. When the medal for Zeal was given to Chief Petty Officers it had the ribbon of St Anne and when given to lower ranks it had the ribbon of St Stanislas.

William Horton was born on 30 January 1871. He was employed as a clay worker before joining the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class aboard HMS INDUS on 15 January 1890. In this rank he next served aboard AURORA (1890-92) where he was advanced to Stoker 1 August 1891. Then served aboard the following ships NARCISUS (1892), ENDYMION (1894), VIVID (1894), RAINBOW (1895), advanced to Leading Stoker 21 May 1897. In this rank he joined the following ships VIVID (July 1898), NILE (December 1898), ROYAL OAK (February 1903), VIVID (May 1903), MONTAGUE (July 1903). Promoted to Leading Stoker 1st Class 31 October 1905, and to Stoker Petty Officer on 11 November 1905. Served in this rank aboard the following ships DEFENSE (November 1905), RUSSEL (March 1907), VIVID (June 1908), OSPREY (October 1908), HAWKE (Janaury 1909), TAMAR (March 1909), CRESCENT (April 1911) and VIVID (June 1911). Pensioned ashore 15 January 1912 after 21 years adult service. Joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Devonport 21 Janaury 1912. On the outbreak of World War I he joined VIVID on 2 August 1914 and transferred to JUPITER on18 August 1914. He served in this ship in Russia and earned the Medal for Zeal. Joined VIOLET in May 1915 and VALIANT in January 1916 where he continued to service until demobilised in May 1919, having taken part at the Battle of Jutland for which he was awarded the Russian Medal of St George.