Special Collections

Sold on 25 March 2013

1 part

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The Ron Tuppen Collection of Naval Medals to Engine Room Officers

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Lot

№ 835

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26 March 2013

Hammer Price:
£260

Four: Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class G. T. Rebbeck, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (270386 C.E.R.A.2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (270386 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (270386 Ch.E.R.A. 2Cl., H.M.S. Inflexible) very fine and better (4) £100-140

George Thomas Rebbeck was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire on 20 February 1880. A Fitter and Turner by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class on 5 March 1901, being confirmed in his rank in August 1902. He was advanced to E.R.A. 3rd Class in August 1904 when at Pembroke; E.R.A. 2nd Class in March 1908 when at Pembroke and Acting C.E.R.A. 2nd Class in November 1912 again at Pembroke. Rebbeck served throughout most of the war on the battlecruiser Inflexible, November 1912-April 1918, being confirmed as C.E.R.A. 2nd Class in November 1913. The ship had an active career during the war - being involved in the controversial ‘pursuit of the Goeben and Breslau’ at the very beginning of the conflict; then more successfully, at the battle of the Falklands, 8 December 1914, she and her sister ship Invincible sank the armoured cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. At the battle of Jutland, 30 May/1 June 1916, Inflexible formed part of the 3rd Battlcruiser Squadron attached to the Grand Fleet. Heavily involved, Inflexible survived the action whilst her sister, the Invincible became one of the battlecruiser casualties of the battle. On 1 February 1918 Inflexible was involved in the ‘battle of May Island’ when she accidently rammed the submarine K.22. Rebbeck was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. in April 1916; attained the rank of C.E.R.A. 1st Class in November 1918 and was pensioned on 15 June 1922.

With copied service paper