Four: Commissioned Electrician E. L. Hawkins, H.M.S. Vanguard, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (347649, E. L. Hawkins, C.E.A.2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (347649 E. L. Hawkins. C.E.A.2 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (347649 E. L. Hawkins. C.E.A.1. H.M.S. Benbow.) edge bruising, polished, nearly very fine (4) £160-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Battle of Jutland.

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The dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Vanguard was launched on 22 February 1909 and was part of the 4th Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, where she fired a total of 80 twelve-inch shells and 10 four-inch shells during the battle.

Ernest Loney Hawkins was born in Portsea, Hampshire, on 20 July 1886 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Electrical Artificer 4th Class on 5 March 1907. Advanced Chief Electrical Artificer 2nd Class on 1 April 1914, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Vanguard from the outbreak of War, and is still recorded as being borne on her books when she exploded at Scapa Flow on 9 July 1917 with the loss of virtually all hands (although he was clearly not aboard at the time). Promoted Chief Electrical Artificer 1st Class on 30 March 1920, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 15 March 1922, and was appointed Warrant Electrician on 2 June 1927. Commissioned Electrician on 29 June 1936, he transferred to the Retired List on 20 July 1936.