The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Five: The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 1st type breast badge; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu August 1893 (W. E. Home, Surgn. R.N., H.M.S. Swallow); China 1900, no clasp (St. Surgn. W. E. Home, M.D. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Major W. E. Home) very fine and better (5)

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

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William Home was born on 21 June 1860. After qualifying as a doctor he entered the service as a Surgeon aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON on 20 August 1885. He served in this rank aboard the following ships: EXCELLENT (November 1885), ALEXANDRA (February 1886), WILDFIRE (June 1889), BRITANNIA (July 1899), THRUSH (May 1890), PEMBROKE (August 1891), BRITON (September 1891), PEMBROKE (April 1892) and SWALLOW (October 1892). In the latter vessel he was landed in August 1893 for service with the Naval Brigade sent to punish the rebellious Sultan of Witu, Fumo Omari. He subsequently joined SAPPHO (January 1896), then served at the R.M.A. Depot at Eastney (May 1896) prior to joining TAMAR (July 1897). He was promoted to Staff Surgeon on 20 August 1897, and served next in this rank aboard BOSCAWEN (March 1900) and CENTURION (July 1900).

He took passage to China and back aboard the transport JELUNGA and became entitled to the 3rd China War medal without clasp, the only such award to this vessel. He next joined PRESIDENT (January 1901), GALATEA (April 1901), and GRAFTON (November 1902). He was promoted to Fleet Surgeon on 9 October 1903, and in this rank served aboard HANNIBAL (April 1905), EXMOUTH (May 1905), EXCELLENT (April 1907), DAEDALUS (April 1909), PRESIDENT (October 1910) and PEMBROKE (April 1911). In the latter posting he also served as Medical Officer for London (East) Recruiting District and had medical charge of West India Docks Store Depot. He retired at his own request on 1 November 1911 having completed 25 years service. Because of his age he was not recalled for War service in the Royal Navy but was allowed to accept a Temporary Commission as a Major in the R.A.M.C. on 12 December 1916.

On 1 March 1917, the Hospital Ship GLENART CASTLE was travelling from Le Havre to Southampton when at 11.40pm a large explosion occurred destroying the dynamo and also the Marconi installation thus leaving the ship in darkness and without the means of signalling. All hands were ordered to their stations and the boats were lowered by 12.30am on 2 March as the ship was sinking fast by the stern. All on board were saved, 115 crew, a medical staff of 68, and 525 patients. It is believed that the ship struck a floating mine. At the Court of Inquiry Admiral the Hon. Stanley Colville made the following remarks: ‘I submit that the greatest credit is due to Captain Day (Master of the Ship) and Major Home R.A.M.C., and all those on board the GLENART CASTLE, for the splendid way in which they got all the wounded safely out of the ship in spite of being in darkness’. Thanks to the arrival of the tugs GRAPPLER and SPRITE, the GLENART CASTLE reached port drawing thirty-six feet of water. On 26 February 1918 the GLENART CASTLE was torpedoed and sunk by the German Submarine UC-56 ten miles west of Lundy Head whilst on passage from Newport to Brest to embark wounded. 153 Officers and Men died; there were 3 survivors.

Major Home was mentioned in despatches in September 1918, and awarded the O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919: Major (Acting Lt Colonel) Army Hospital Ships. ‘For valuable services rendered on the occasion of the sinking by enemy action of the Hospital Ship GLENART CASTLE’. He died on 9 June 1935, aged 75 years.