Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: T. S. Holwill, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy
1914-15 Star (206973 L.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (206973 L.S. R.N.) with Memorial Plaque, transmission slips and card boxes of issue, extremely fine (3)

Thomas Samuel Holwill, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy, was killed when H.M.S. Amphion struck a mine in the North Sea, 6 August 1914. The light cruiser Amphion, under command of Capt. C.H. Fox, carried a complement of 290 officers and men. At the outbreak of the First World War the ship was engaged in sweeping operations along the Dutch coast, being in company with the Second Destroyer Flotilla. On the morning of August 5th, 1914, at 10.40 the British ships sighted the German steamship, Konigin Luise, engaged in minelaying about 30 miles E. of the Suffolk coast. The Amphion and the destroyers Lance and Landrail immediately brought the Konigin Luise to action and sank her at 12.20 p.m. without loss to themselves. Prior to this the German ship had laid her mines, 200 in number. The position of these mines was not known accurately to the British and in the course of the day the two destroyers, steaming at 30 knots, passed over the minefield in safety.

The flotilla continued its operations for the rest of the day without incident and in the small hours of August 6th turned about for home. The course set led the Amphion immediately over the mines laid by the Konigin Luise and at about 6.30 a.m., when all on board thought themselves clear of the danger, the ship struck a mine which exploded below her fore-bridge. The fore part of the cruiser was wrecked and nearly all those in it were killed, including 18 prisoners from the German vessel. Capt. Fox was stunned by the explosion but recovered consciousness in time to order “Abandon ship”. While the boats were being lowered another explosion, caused either by the flames reaching the magazine or by a second mine, completed the Amphion’s destruction. The loss of life was one officer and 150 men, and 18 German prisoners. Capt. Fox was among the survivors, who numbered 139 officers and men.