Auction Catalogue

16 December 2003

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 717

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16 December 2003

Hammer Price:
£980

Seven: Commander H. E. W. C. Whyte, Royal Navy

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (Mid., R.N., H.M.S. Terrible); China 1900, no clasp (Midsn., R.N., H.M.S. Terrible); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Commr., R.N.); Defence and War Medals, mounted Court style for wear, good very fine and better (7) £550-650

Herbert Edward Walter Christian Whyte was born in London on 2 September 1892 and entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1899. While serving aboard H.M.S. Terrible, he landed for service ashore in Natal in October 1900 and was mentioned in despatches for his service with the Naval Brigade under Captain E. P. Jones, R.N. in addition to being recommended for early promotion. Whyte is mentioned in the publication, Field Gun Jack versus the Boers, The Royal Navy in South Africa 1899-1900, by Tony Bridgland:

‘New Year’s Eve, 1899, was one of those times that would remain clear in the memory for years to come. Everybody would remember exactly what they were doing and who was there when midnight struck to herald the advent of 1900. Lieutenant Burne of the
Philomel, at Chieveley, noted in his diary that he turned out with Whyte, one of his Midshipmen, at midnight and struck sixteen bells on an old 4.7 brass case. Then they had a bowl of fine punch with slices of pineapple in it, which they shared with the duty watch, and everybody wished each other Happy New Year. Then he records that, as a gesture of goodwill, they sent the Boers some 4.7 liver pills’.

Whyte was advanced to Sub-Lieutenant in 1902, Lieutenant in 1903 and Lieutenant-Commander in 1911. He served during the early part of the Great War on special service with a Coastal Squadron. Appointed to H.M.S.
Magnolia in March 1916, he was subsequently mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 20 September 1918) for the efficient state of his ship and ship’s company when on service in the Mediterranean. Whyte was placed on the Retired List at his own request in June 1920 but was recalled for duty in the Second World War. He served on various Shore Establishments until reverting to the Retired List once more in June 1944. Sold with copied service papers.