Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb campaign group of four awarded to Commander The Honourable L. H. Shore, Royal Navy, who served with distinction as a young Midshipman and A.D.C. to Commander C. G. F. M. Cradock during the Third China War - being mentioned in despatches for the capture of the Taku Forts, and wounded in action during the Naval Brigade’s relief of Tientsin. A veteran of the battles of Heligoland Bight and the Falklands in 1914, he served as Navigating Officer with H.M.S. Invincible during the Great War. He was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when the Invincible suffered a direct hit to her midships magazine, which blew her in half, and caused her to sink within 90 seconds with the loss of all but six of her crew of 1,032 Officers and ratings.

China 1900, 2 clasps, Taku Forts, Relief of Pekin (L. H. Shore, Midn. R.N., H.M.S. Barfleur.); 1914-15 Star (Commr. L. H. Shore, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr. L. H. Shore. R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Lionel Henry Shore) generally good very fine (5) £2,000-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset.

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The Honourable Lionel Henry Shore was born in Greenock, in November 1882, and was second son of the Fifth Baron Teignmouth, of Mount Elton, Clevedon. He entered the Royal Navy as Naval Cadet in May 1897, and passed out from H.M.S. Britannia in September the following year. Shore was posted as a Midshipman to H.M.S. Barfleur, 15 September 1898, and continued to served with her on the China station.

Shore served as A.D.C. to Commander C. G. F. M. Cradock, who commanded the British Naval Brigade which led the Allies at the storming and capture of the Taku Forts, 17 July 1900, and during the advance to and relief of the Tientsin settlement, including the attack and capture of the Peiyang Arsenal, Tientsin, 27 June 1900. Shore was mentioned in Commander Cradock’s despatches for the capture of the Taku Forts, 20 June 1900. He was also wounded in action at Tientsin, 25 June 1900, when he sustained a bullet wound to the thigh. His service papers add, ‘Landed at Capture of Taku Forts 1900. Specially mentioned for pluck and ability as A.D.C. to Commdr. Cradock. Noted for early promotion on qualifying for Lieut. 9 Nov. 1900. Did well with Naval Brigade relieving Tientsin.’

Shore advanced to Lieutenant in October 1903, and was posted as Navigating Officer to H.M.S. Invincible in June 1913. He served with the latter at the battles of Heligoland Bight, 28 August 1914, and the Falklands, 8 December 1914. Shore’s service papers give the following, ‘Falkland Ids Action - Mentioned in despatches of V. Adml. Sturdee - “I have been much assisted in compiling the report of the fight with the two armoured cruisers by the careful records taken during the action by the Flag Capt. and Lt. Cdr (N) Shore.”

Shore was promoted to Commander (N) in June 1915, and he continued to serve with the Invincible. The latter was the flagship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland. Shore was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when H.M.S. Invincible suffered a direct hit to her midships magazine, which blew her in half, and caused her to sink within 90 seconds with the loss of all but six of her crew of 1,032 Officers and ratings. Like the vast majority of the crew Shore is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied research.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s brother, Lieutenant the 6th Baron Teignmouth; and the recipient’s nephews, Major the Honourable L. Shore, and Lieutenant the 7th Baron Teignmouth, see Lot 704.