Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Commander R. E. Gore, Royal Navy, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Hogue, along with her sister ships Aboukir and Cressy, in the North Sea by the German submarine U-9, 22 September 1914, with the loss of 1,459 lives

1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. R. E. Gore, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. R. E. Gore. R.N.) mounted for display, good very fine (3) £100-£140

Reginald Edward Gore was born in Edinburgh in June 1880, the son of Major-General Gore, and entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in July 1894. He advanced to Lieutenant Commander in April 1910, and served with H.M. Yacht Alexandra, November 1908 - August 1911.

Gore served during the Great War with the cruiser H.M.S. Hogue, who along with her sister ships Aboukir and Cressy were part of the 7th Cruiser Squadron engaged in blockade and patrol duties. All three were torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by the German submarine U-9 on 22 September 1914. 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. Total losses from the three ships were 62 officers and 1,397 men killed.

Gore survived the attack, and was subsequently appointed as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Lowry at H.M.S. Columbine. He subsequently was employed assisting the District Captain, H.M. Coast Guard Kingstown. Gore retired as Commander in November 1918.