Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Aberdeen Wireless Transmission Station’ O.B.E. group of nine awarded to Commander H. J. G. Good, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (H. J. G. Good, Midsn. H.M.S. Theseus); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (Lieut. H. J. G. Good, R.N., H.M.S. Philomel); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. H. J. G. Good, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr H. J. G. Good, R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, privately named (Commdr. H. J. G. Good, R.N.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake 1908, silver, unnamed, mounted as worn, together with companion mounted set of nine miniature medals, very fine or better (18) £1,800-£2,200

O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1919: ‘For valuable services as Officer in Charge of the Aberdeen W/T Station.’ Invested at Buckingham Palace on 27 November 1919.

Henry John Graham Good was born in London on 5 August 1879, and entered the Navy aboard the Training Ship Britannia on 15 January 1894; Midshipman, 15 November 1896; Acting Sub-Lieutenant, 15 May 1900; Lieutenant, 26 June 1902; Lieutenant-Commander, 26 June 1910; Acting Commander, 22 June 1916; Commander (Retired) 22 August 1920.

He served aboard H.M.S. Theseus from January 1896 to July 1897, including operations against the King of Benin (Medal with clasp). Transferred for duties with submarines in April 1903, he was seriously injured in an accident on board Submarine A5 at Queenstown on 16 February 1905, and admitted to Haulbowline Hospital ‘suffering from shock, burns and a fractured skull requiring operation.’ Lieutenant Good was in command of A5 with a sub-lieutenant and eight crew, when an explosion occurred inside A5 toward the stern, followed by a second explosion some thirty minutes later. The second explosion was located in the conning tower area. So great was the force of the explosions that members of the crew were actually blown out of the boat through the main hatch into the water. The sub-lieutenant and four ratings were killed or died of their injuries. Good was discharged from hospital on 29 March 1905 and granted 2 months sick leave suffering from perforation of the left ear drum. As a result of the enquiry into the fatal accident on Submarine A5 it was found to be due to ‘Lt. Good not having rigidly adhered to orders - Their Lordships severe displeasure passed.’

Unsurprisingly Good did not continue in the submarine branch but despite this black mark on his record he received an expression of appreciation for ‘devising and fitting experimental Telephonic system for Fire Control in Foresight’ in 1907, satisfaction at a report of an inspection of Philomel in November 1908, and of his good work during the blockade of the Somali coast by “Philomel” in August 1909. He also received the Italian Medal for services at the Messina Earthquake in December 1908 when he was one of the small party landed ashore from Philomel. In July 1914 he was lent for service with the Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve for a period of 3 years but was recalled home during his outward passage upon the outbreak of war. In December 1914 he was appointed to assist the Officer in Charge of Aberdeen Wireless Transmission Station and in March 1915 was commended for the efficiency and alertness of the stations which contributed to the success of the operations which resulted in the sinking of the German submarine U.12 on 10th March. He was appointed in charge of Aberdeen Sub-Base Intelligence Office and Wireless Transmission Station from 12 July 1918 until 17 May 1919, and duly received the O.B.E. for these services in June 1919. He was placed on the Retired List with rank of Commander on 22 August 1920, but was recalled for Naval Control Service duties on the outbreak of war in 1939, initially at Kingston, Jamaica, from 22 August 1939, and later in the U.K. at H.M.S. Cochrane (Methil) from January 1941 and H.M.S. Calliope from July 1944. He reverted to the Retired List on 12 April 1946. Sold with copied record of service.