Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset

Three: Carpenter’s Crew M. J. Marks, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Battle of Jutland, he was killed in action when H.M.S. Nottingham was torpedoed in the North Sea, by U-52, 19 August 1916

1914-15 Star (M.12746, M. J. Marks, Car. Cr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M. 12746 M. J. Marks. Car. Cr. R.N.) mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £240-£280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Rob Campbell Collection relating to Clevedon, Somerset.

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Maurice John Marks was born in Clevedon, in May 1888, and was a carpenter by trade. He joined the Royal Navy as Carpenter’s Crew in April 1915, and was posted for service with H.M.S. Nottingham, 23 September 1915. Marks was present with H.M.S. Nottingham at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May - 1 June 1916. The latter was part of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron during the battle.

The Nottingham continued to serve as part of the Squadron, and on 19 August 1916, ‘was one of a light cruiser screen guarding the southern flank of the fleet, which had put to sea on hearing the news that Admiral Scheer was in the North Sea. The early morning was very hazy and at 5.30 Dublin sighted what she took to be a small fishing boat. In reality this was the submarine U-52, which 30 minutes later sent two torpedoes into Nottingham, flooding her boiler fires and extinguishing her electric light.

The ship managed to keep afloat while Dublin did her best to keep the submarine down, but 25 minutes later a third torpedo hit the cruiser on the port side and all hope of saving her was abandoned. Capt. C. B. Miller ordered the crew to take to the boats and at 7.10 am Nottingham sank. Thirty-eight men were killed.’

Amongst those 38 men killed was Marks, and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.