Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star (2) (309143. G. H. Manning. Sto. I. R.N.; PO.16715. Pte A. V. Davis R.M.L.I.) traces of verdigris to latter, otherwise very fine (2) £70-£90

Gerald Henry Manning, a native of Liverpool, was born on 24 July 1887 and joined H.M.S. Queen Mary on 7 December 1915. He was present at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when, under the command of Captain C. I. Prowse, Queen Mary engaged the German ships SMS Seydlitz and SMS Derfflinger during the opening phase of the Battle. One of Derfflinger’s shells scored a direct hit on Queen Mary’s ‘Q’ turret detonating the magazines and breaking the ship in two. She was sunk with the loss of 1,266 crew and only 18 survivors. Manning was amongst those killed, and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Albert Victor Davis was born on 11 November 1892 and was serving with the Royal Marine Light Infantry aboard H.M.S. Invincible. He was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when the armour of one of Invincible’s gun turrets was penetrated, causing her to be blown in half by a magazine explosion amidships and sink within 90 seconds with the loss of all but six of her crew of 1,032 officers and ratings. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.