Campaign Groups and Pairs 218
Pair: Engine Room Artificer N. A. Cowell, Royal Naval Reserve, who died on 3 May 1918, having spent nine agonising days drifting at sea without food or water, after the Q-ship Bombala was sunk by two enemy submarines off the West African coast on 25 April 1918
1914-15 Star (EA 1478, N. A. Cowell, E.R.A., R.N.R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (1478EA N. A. Cowell. E.R.A. R.N.R.) traces of verdigris to VM, otherwise very fine (2)
£70-£90
Norman Arthur Cowell was born in Charlton, Kent, on 27 February 1883, and enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 5 November 1914. He served during the Great War in the Q-Ship Bombala from 15 September 1917, and was present in her when she was attacked by two enemy submarines, U-153 and U-154 off Cape Blanco off the West African coast on 25 April 1918. ‘For two and a half hours the fight waxed and waned. Finally, the Bombala, a blazing wreck, was abandoned by her crew, numbering 53. Terrible were the events that ensured in that tropical clime. After the first day the ship’s boats became separated. The master’s boat was never seen again. The other boat drifted about under the blazing sun for eight days, the torments of agonising thirst torturing the survivors. Some (11 in all) drank sea water and went mad. On the ninth morning the 14 remaining survivors made land in the estuary of the Senegal River. Two of the strongest cast about and found a tiny pool of water, and after drinking a little they tottered back to their comrades bearing the life giving fluid. But it was too late, for the rest had by now died. These two survivors then struggled on until, the next day, found by friendly Arabs, they were taken to a French post.’ (The German Submarine War, by Gibson and Prendergast refers).
Cowell is reported as being in the lifeboat that made it to land, but was one of the 12 occupants who did not survive, and is officially presumed to have lost his life on 3 May 1918. He is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton.
Sold with copied record of service.
219
Four: Seaman J. Slone, Royal Naval Reserve
1914-15 Star (C. 2942, J. Sloane, A.B., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2942C. J. Sloane. Smn. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (C/2942. J. Sloane. Sea R.N.R.), second and fourth officially corrected, very fine (4)
£50-£70
220
Three: Engine Room Artificer 1st Class A. E. Irvine, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 1914-15 Star (T.4-146, A. E. Irvine, E.R.A.4, R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (T.4-146 A. E. Irvine. E.R.A.1 R. N.V.R.) very fine
An unattributed Royal Naval Reserve group of five 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration,
G.VI.R., 2nd issue, reverse officially dated 1951, mounted as worn, very fine (8)
£80-£120
221
Four: Colour Sergeant F. C. Guy, Royal Marine Light Infantry
1914-15 Star (Po.9998. Cr. Sgt. F. C. Guy. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Po.9998. Cr. Sgt. F. C. Guy. R.M.L. I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Po.9998 F. C. Guy, Sergeant. R.M.L.I.) very fine (4)
£100-£140
Frederick Charles Guy was born in St. Helens, Jersey, on 1 January 1880 and enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 8 October 1898. He was promoted Corporal on 1 April 1901, and Sergeant on 5 September 1906. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 30 November 1913, he was promoted Colour Sergeant on 21 October 1915, and was demobilised on 12 February 1920. He subsequently enlisted in the Royal Marine Police on 16 May 1923, and died on 5 September 1962.
Sold with copied record of service.
222
Four: Private W. Brown, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who served during the Great War in H.M.S. Severn, and was present in her when she bombarded German troops and artillery posts during the Battle of Yser in October 1914, and also the following year in German East Africa, where she assisted in the destruction of the German Light Cruiser S.M. S. Königsberg
1914-15 Star (Ply. 3936. Pte. W. Brown. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ply. 3936. Pte. W. Brown. R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Ply. 3936. William Brown. Private. R.M.L.I.) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising, very fine (4)
£140-£180
William Brown was born at Barnstaple, Devon, on 24 February 1868, and enlisted there in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 24 December 1886. He was discharged on 8 January 1908, having completed his length of service, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. He was recalled to the service following the outbreak of the Great War, and, serving in H.M.S. Severn, was present in her when she bombarded German troops and artillery posts during the Battle of Yser in October 1914, and the following year in German East Africa, where she assisted in the destruction of the German Light Cruiser S.M.S. Königsberg. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 14 June 1915, and was finally demobilised on 31 May 1919.
Sold with copied record of service.
223
Four: Greaser J. H. Williams, Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary 1914-15 Star (J. H. Williams, Gsr., M.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (J. H. Williams. Gsr. M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-20 (John H. Williams); Victory Medal 1914-19 (J. H. Williams. Gsr. M.F.A.) good very fine
Pair: J. F. Wood, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Joseph F. Wood.) nearly very fine (6)
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable) £60-£80
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