Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Lieutenant J. Hayes, Royal Naval Reserve

1914-15 Star (S. Lt., R.N.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut., R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine 1914-18 (Jonathan Hayes); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut., R.N.R.); nearly extremely fine (4) £120-160

Lieutenant Jonathan Hayes was in command of the rescue tug Knight Errant from December 1915 to the end of the war.

The Admiralty required tugs for rescue work if damaged merchant vessels were to be got into port. They were generally armed, provided with smoke producing apparatus and depth charges and fitted with wireless. It was no easy matter to go into the Atlantic in all weathers and find a stricken liner or other ship, connect a tow rope and bring the the vessel to safety with the constant danger of further attacks from enemy submarines. Such efforts demanded of the officer commanding, seamanship, daring, patience and coolness of the first order. The formation of the Rescue Tug Service paid for itself many times over. Sold with copied research.