The Ron Tuppen Collection of Naval Medals to Engine Room Officers

Seven: Engineer Commander L. A. Symes, Royal Navy, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Audacious, 27 October 1914

1914-15 Star (M.3227 E.R.A.3, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Lt., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1937, these unnamed, good very fine and better (7) £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Tuppen Collection of Naval Medals to Engine Room Officers.

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Lionel Albert Symes was born in Yeovil, Somerset on 11 October 1889. A Fitter and Turner by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class on 26 June 1911 and was confirmed in that rank in September 1912 and promoted to E.R.A. 3rd Class in June 1914. He was serving on the dreadnought battleship Audacious when she struck a mine and sank off Tory Island, 27 October 1914. The mine had been laid by the German auxiliary cruiser and minelayer (former liner) Berlin. All of her complement of 900 officers and men were able to evacuate the vessel before she blew up and sank.

Symes was promoted to Acting Mate on 1 May 1916; Engineer Lieutenant in May 1918 and Engineer Commander in June 1933.

With copied service paper and some other service details.