Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant W. R. Griffiths, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Tamaai (W. R. Griffiths, A.B.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (Gunr. W. R. Griffiths, R.N., H.M.S. Philomel) naming officially re-impressed; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. W. R. Griffiths. R.N.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (William R. Griffiths), 1st issue; Khedive’s Star 1884; Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large, bronze (William Robert Griffiths. Wreck of the S.S. “Ettrickdale” on the 12th March 1886) light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (6) £400-£500

Q.S.A. medal presented by the KIng.

The British cargo ship Ettrickdale (of 1,324 tons) was wrecked on the Spanish coast, three miles from Gibraltar on 11 March 1886. In a dark and stormy night the crew were forced to take to the rigging. The following day two unsuccessful attempts were made by a Spanish fishing boat to reach the wreck. An attempt to rescue the crew was then made by a boat from H.M.S. Monarch. However, the boat, manned by Lieutenant John Rushworth Jellicoe (of ‘Jutland’ fame, later Admiral of the Fleet) and seven ratings, capsized in the breakers. Finally another Spanish fishing boat managed to get alongside the wreck and rescue all but one of the stranded crew.

For the rescue Lieutenant Jellicoe was awarded the Board of Trade Gallantry Medal in Silver, and the ratings, including Seaman William Robert Griffiths, were each awarded the medal in Bronze. In addition, a total of 16 ‘Foreign Service’ Sea gallantry Medals in Silver were awarded to the Spanish fishermen involved.