Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Petty Officer A. P. Bender, Royal Navy, who was drowned on 6 October 1918 when H.M.S. Otranto broke up after colliding with H.M.S. Kashmir, with the loss of 470 lives

1914-15 Star (J.3012. A. P. Bender. L.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.3012. A. P. Bender. P.O. R.N.) ; Naval Good Shooting Medal, G.V.R. (J.3012. A.P. Bender. Ldg.Sean, H.M.S. Africa 1913. 3.Pdf. Q.F.) last officially re-impressed, about extremely fine (4) £240-£280

Archibald Percy Bender was born in Hastings on 5 January 1893 and enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 2 October 1908. Advanced Leading Seaman, he was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal whilst serving in H.M.S. Africa in 1913. Promoted Petty Officer on 1 June 1916, his Great War service included service in H.M. Ships Africa, Carnation, Victorious and Otranto. Whilst serving in the latter ship he was drowned on 6 October 1918 following Otranto’s collision with H.M.S. Kashmir, and her subsequent breaking up in a storm off Machir Bay, Islay, with the loss of 470 lives. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.