A Collection of Medals for the Battle of Jutland

Three: Lieutenant-Commander J. Smith, H.M.S. Warrior, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (J.1967. J. Smith. L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Gnr. J. Smith. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, both contemporarily engraved ‘Lt. Cdr. J. Smith R.N.’, good very fine (5) £140-£180

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

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The armoured cruiser H.M.S. Warrior was launched on 22 February 1909 and was part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, where she was heavily damaged by German shells, and having been taken in tow, foundered on 1 June 1916

James Smith was born in Anstruther Wester, Fife, on 24 March 1892 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 28 June 1908. Advanced Leading Seaman on 1 May 1914, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Warrior from the outbreak of War. At Jutland the armoured cruisers H.M.S. Defence and Warrior, part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron, were closing with the disabled German light cruiser Wiesbaden, when they came under concentrated fire from the battlecruiser Derfflinger and four battleships at less than 8,000 yards. Defence blew up and Warrior was heavily damaged and was only saved from from further punishment when the German ships switched their fire to the more tempting target in the form of the battleship Warspite whose steering had become jammed. Badly damaged, Warrior was able to make her way out of the battle zone and was eventually taken in tow by the seaplane carrier Engadine who took off her surviving crew of 743. However, the ship could not be saved and she was abandoned the next day and subsequently foundered, with the loss of 70 lives.

Smith was advanced Petty Officer on 1 July 1916, and was commissioned Gunner on 3 September 1917. He was promoted Chief Gunner on 12 December 1927, and Lieutenant on 3 March 1939. He served at home during the Great War, and transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 3 March 1947.