Auction Catalogue
Four: Chief Petty Officer W. E. Wells, Royal Navy, who survived the disastrous sinking of the Hogue, Aboukir and Cressy by the German submarine U-9, 22 September 1914
1914-15 Star (186203, W. E. Wells, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (186203 W. E. Wells. Act. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (186203 W. E. Wells, Act. C.P.O. H.M.S. Dominion.) mounted for display, last with official corrections, generally very fine or better (4) £100-£140
William Edward Wells was born in Maidstone, Kent in December 1878. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in October 1895, and advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer in April 1917. Wells served with H.M.S. Hogue (cruiser), 30 July - 22 September 1914. On the latter date the Hogue, along with her sister ships Aboukir and Cressy, part of the 7th Cruiser Squadron engaged in blockade and patrol duties, were all torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by the German submarine U-9. The Aboukir was the first to be hit, at 06:20; her captain thought that she had struck a mine and ordered the other two ships to close in order to transfer his wounded men. The Aboukir quickly began listing and capsized, sinking at 06:50. Having approached, stopped, and lowered her boats, Hogue was struck by two torpedoes at 06:55 as she was attempting to rescue the survivors. She capsized and sank within twenty minutes. Cressy meanwhile attempted to ram the submarine, but did not hit anything and resumed her rescue efforts until she too was torpedoed at 07:20. She too took on a heavy list and then capsized before sinking at 07:55.
Wells survived the sinking, however, total losses from the three ships were 62 officers and 1,397 men killed. He subsequently served with H.M.S. Dominion (battleship), December 1917 - April 1918 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in January 1918). Wells was Shore Demobilised in March 1919.
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