A Collection of Medals relating to the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids, 1918

Four: Able Seaman W. Botley, Royal Navy, served on H.M.S. New Zealand at the battles of Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank and Jutland; later served as part of the seamen storming parties that landed on the Mole in the Zeebrugge Raid, participating in the V.C. ballot for the latter action

1914-15 Star (J.12351 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.12351 A.B., R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (J.12351 (Dev.B.12624) A.B., R.F.R.) contact marks, nearly very fine and better (4) £300 -400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals relating to the Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids, 1918.

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William Botley was born in Bridgnorth, Shropshire on 11 April 1895. A Farm Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in May 1911 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in February 1912. Served on the battlecruiser H.M.S. New Zealand, November 1912-February 1918, seeing action at the battles of Heligoland Bight, 28 August 1914; Dogger Bank, 24 January 1915 and Jutland, 31 May 1916. Botley was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in April 1913 and to Able Seaman in September 1914. Listed as serving on H.M.S. Hindustan, March-April 1918. Served in the Zeebrugge Raid, 23 April 1918, on H.M.S. Vindictive as part of the Royal Naval Mole Storming Party and was slightly wounded in the hand. His papers record that he was listed as having participated in the ballot for a V.C. in respect of that action. Botley returned to H.M.S. New Zealand, July 1918-February 1919 and continued to serve in the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Reserve until 1926. In civilian life he served in the Shropshire Police Force, 1926-34 before going into agriculture but returned to the police once more during the Second World War. He died in January 1960.

With copied service paper and other service and family research including copied photographs.