Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Stoker Petty Officer H. Howe, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when H.M.S Defence exploded after being hit by two salvoes from SMS Derfflinger and several other German battleships, and sank with the loss of all hands

China 1900, no clasp (H. Howe, Sto., H.M.S. Undaunted); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (280065 H. Howe, Sto. P.O., H.M.S. Fox); 1914-15 Star (280065 H. Howe. S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (280065 H. Howe. S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R (280065 Henry Howe. Ldg. Stoker, H.M.S. Fox); Memorial Plaque (Henry Howe), in card envelope of issue, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; together with a Jutland Memorial Medallion, by Spink, London, white metal, in card box, generally very fine (8) £700-£900

Henry Howe, a native of Plymouth, Devon, served as a Stoker Petty Officer during the Great War, and was killed in action whilst serving in H.M.S. Defence at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. The Defence was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, and led the First Cruiser Squadron during the battle. She was engaged by the German battlecruiser S.M.S. Derfflinger and several other battleships, resulting in her being hit by two salvoes which caused the detonation of a magazine and surrounding ammunition. The Defence exploded, with the loss of all hands. Howe is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied research. Inside the Jutland Memorial Medallion box is a small 6 x 4 cm piece of silk, which has the following written on it: ‘Battle of Hornreef 30th May 1916 H.M.S. Neptune silk Ensign Presented by the Duchess of Albany.’

Note: The Battle of Jutland was originally called the ‘Battle of Horn Reef’ in the British press.