Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Petty Officer J. Banks, Royal Navy
1914-15 Star (227623, J. Banks, L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (227623 J. Banks. P.O. R.N.) contact marks, nearly very fine

Three: Ordinary Telegrapher R. Stell, Royal Navy, who was present in H.M.S. Russell when she struck two mines laid by U-73, and was sunk off Malta
1914-15 Star (J.37287, R. Stell, Boy. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.37287 R. Stell. O. Tel. R.N.) good very fine (6) £70-£90

John Banks was born at Magheramourne, Co. Antrim, on 18 November 1887 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Black Prince on 23 July 1903. He was advanced to Boy First Class, H.M.S. Emerald, on 25 February 1904, and to Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Russell, on 18 November 1905. Promoted Able Seaman on 21 December 1906, he was posted to H.M.S. Devonshire in June 1911, and was advanced to Leading Seaman. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Vivid I, and was further promoted to Petty Officer on 1 January 1917, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in December 1920. Promoted Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. Delhi, on 5 March 1925, he was shore pensioned in November 1927, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. Recalled for was service in November 1939, he served in H.M.S. Drake I, H.M.S. Royal Arthur, and H.M.S. Glendower. He was invalided out of the service in August 1945.

Reginald Stell was born at Morecambe, Lancashire, in April 1899 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Powerful on 31 March 1915. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Russell and H.M.S. Pembroke I, being appointed Boy Telegrapher on 29 November 1916, and Ordinary Telegrapher, H.M.S. Dreadnaught, on 26 April 1917. He also served in H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, H.M.S. Erin and H.M.S. Cyclops. He was demobilised on 25 April 1919. He would have been serving in H.M.S. Russell when she struck two naval mines off Malta that had been laid by the German submarine U-73, and sank early on the morning of 27 April 1916.