Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Stoker F. Mason, Royal Naval Reserve, who was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, whilst serving in H.M.S. Warrior

1914-15 Star (S.5575, F. Mason, Sto., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (5575S. F. Mason. Sto. R.N.R.) very fine (3) £180-£220

Frederick Mason served during the Great War as a Stoker in H.M.S. Warrior, and was present at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. At Jutland the armoured cruisers H.M.S. Defence and Warrior, part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron, were closing with the disabled German light cruiser Wiesbaden, when they came under concentrated fire from the battlecruiser Derfflinger and four battleships at less than 8,000 yards. Defence blew up and Warrior was heavily damaged and was only saved from from further punishment when the German ships switched their fire to the more tempting target in the form of the battleship Warspite whose steering had become jammed. Badly damaged, Warrior was able to make her way out of the battle zone and was eventually taken in tow by the seaplane carrier Engadine who took off her surviving crew. However, the ship could not be saved and she was abandoned the next day and subsequently foundered, with the loss of 70 lives.

Mason was amongst those killed, and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.