Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Master at Arms Diary for the Great War, compiled by J. R. Butland, Master at Arms in H.M.S. Minerva, 242pp, with an entry for every day of his service in her during the Great War, from his commission at Portsmouth on 2 August 1914, to being paid off at Simon’s Town, South Africa on 31 December 1917, interspersed with various Naval Signals, maps, and telegrams, in original cloth board covers, minor damage to binding, otherwise good condition £200-£240

John Robert Butland was born in Alverstoke, Hampshire, on 24 February 1869, and served in the Royal Navy from 1887 until being shore pensioned on 25 February 1912. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth on 8 December 1912, and was recalled for service in H.M.S. Minerva on 2 August 1914: ‘All Royal Fleet Reserve and Pensioners received orders by Royal Proclamation to mobilise. On arrival in Portsmouth was drafted to H.M.S. Minerva in the harbour, arrived on board with draft at midnight. Germany had already declared War on Russia. War conditions were already commenced in the Fleet.’ (Diary entry for 2 August 1914 refers).

Butland served in her during the Great War until 31 December 1917, before transferring to H.M.S. Victory, and was finally discharged on 21 February 1919.