Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Shipwright H. Webster, H.M.S. Barham, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (M.8882, H. Webster. Car. Cr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.8882. H. Webster. Shpt. 4 R.N.) good very fine (3) £80-£100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Battle of Jutland.

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The dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Barham was launched on 31 December 1914 and was flagship of the 5th Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, where she fired a total of 337 twelve-inch shells and 25 six-inch shells during the battle. She was hit six times during the battle, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. It is believed that Barham and H.M.S. Variant made 24 hits between them, making them the two most accurate warships in the British fleet during the battle.

Herbert Webster was born in Leicester on 2 January 1895 and joined the Royal Navy on 15 September 1914, with the service number M.8582, serving initially as carpenter’s Crew in H.M.S. Victory. He transferred for service in H.M.S. Barham on 19 August 1915, and was advanced Shipwright 4th Class, on 1 October 1918. He was shore demobilised on 13 August 1919.

Sold with copied service record and other research, including a photographic image of H.M.S. Barham.

Note: Although Webster’s service number was M.8582, his three medals appear entirely as issued - evidently the middle ‘5’ was misread as an ‘8’ by the impresser.