Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Leading Seaman H. Wicks, Royal Navy, who was killed when the battleship H.M.S. Bulwark exploded, 26 November 1914

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (231240. H. Wicks. A.B. H.M.S. Philomel.); 1914-15 Star (231240, H. Wichs [sic], L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (231240 H. Wicks. L.S. R.N.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (4) £300-£340

Provenance: DNW, September 2010.

Henry Wicks was born in Shoreditch, London in January 1887. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in July 1904, and advanced to Leading Seaman in May 1912. Wicks served with H.M.S. Philomel, July 1909 - September 1911, and with H.M.S. Bulwark, 4 June - 26 November 1914.

Wicks was killed on 26 November 1914, when the pre-dreadnaught battleship H.M.S. Bulwark blew up in unexplained circumstances on the Medway, near Sheerness, with the loss of over 700 lives. During the Great War the Royal Navy lost 4 ships to internal explosions whilst lying in harbour, the other three being, H.M. Ships Natal, Princess Irene and Vanguard. At the time there was much speculation that these losses were due to sabotage by enemy agents. However, the more likely explanation is that they were the result of the deterioration of the stocks of high explosives carried on board. Only fourteen men survived the sinking of H.M.S. Bulwark. Having no known grave, Henry Wick’s name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.