A Collection of Boer War Medals to the Royal Navy

Four: Leading Seaman H. A. Howes, Royal Navy, killed in action when H.M.S. Aboukir was torpedoed and sunk, 22 September 1914

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Ord. H.M.S. Blanche) small impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (201629 L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (201629 L.S., R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Herbert Arthur Howes), this mounted on a wooden base, medals nearly extremely fine (5) £360-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Boer War Medals to the Royal Navy.

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Herbert Arthur Howes was born in Barking, Essex on 22 January 1883. A Brickmaker’s Boy by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 11 October 1898. As a Boy 1st Class he joined the cruiser Blanche in November 1900 and was aboard her when promoted to Ordinary Seaman in January 1901 and Able Seaman in February 1902. Serving in the Boer War, he qualified for the Queen’s medal without clasp - one of 155 men of the ship so entitled. Further service followed and in April 1907 whilst based at Pembroke I Howes was advanced to Leading Seaman. He left the service by purchase on 24 January 1908 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. He was recalled for service on 2 August 1914. Leading Seaman Howes was killed in action on 22 September 1914 when serving aboard the armoured cruiser Aboukir. The Aboukir, together with her sister ships the Hogue and Cressy, part of the 7th Cruiser Squadron, were engaged in blockade and patrol duties in the southern part of the North Sea. At 6.30 on 22 September 1914 the Aboukir was torpedoed by the U-9. Believing that the ship had struck a mine, the Hogue and Cressy stopped to rescue the survivors, oblivious of the danger lurking beneath the waves. Shortly afterwards torpedoes from the U-9 sent the Hogue and then the Cressy to the bottom. The loss of life in this triple disaster was heavy, with some 1,400 men being lost from the three ships. Leading Seaman Howes’ name is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was the son of William and Harriet Howes of Grays, Essex and the husband of Laura Howes of 48A Little Ilford Lane, Manor Park, London. Sold with copied service paper and a reprinted photograph of H.M.S. Aboukir.