A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division

Four: Chief Armourer W. J. Short, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

1914 Star (165810. W. J. Short, C.P.O. Armr. Nelson Bttn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (165819 W. J. Short. Ch. Arm. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (165810. W. J. Short, Ch. Armr. H.M.S. Implacable.) remnants of lacquer, generally very fine or better (4) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

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William John Short was born in Liskeard, Cornwall in January 1869. He was a Blacksmith, prior to joining the Royal Navy as Armourer Crew in January 1892. Short advanced to Chief Armourer in April 1905, service including at H.M.S. Tamar and H.M.S. Defiance. His service papers show that he received an expression of appreciation from the Admiralty for zeal in working out an invention in connection with the use of the .303 rifle with the 6” B.L. Gun, in 1907. Short was serving with H.M.S. Implacable as part of the Mediterranean Fleet at the time (also awarded L.S. & G.C. in February 1907).

Short transferred to the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division in August 1914, and was posted to the Battalion Staff in in January the following year. Short was demobilised in April 1919, only to re-engage as Pensioner Chief Armourer for service on C.O.A.’s Staff at H.M.S. Colleen, Ireland, 1920-21.

Sold with copied research.