Three: Gunner E. W. Pearn, Royal Navy, who was killed when the minelayer H.M.S. Princess Irene exploded off Sheerness on 27 May 1915

1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals (Gnr. E. W. Pearn. R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Edward Warwick Pearn); Memorial Scroll ‘Mr. Edward Warwick Pearn, Gunner R.N.’, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, all mounted in a glazed display frame, about extremely fine (4) £300-£400

Edward Warwick Pearn, of Saltash, Cornwall, was killed when the minelayer H.M.S. Princess Irene exploded off Sheerness on 27 May 1915, with the loss of 300 lives; the explosion occurred when mines were being loaded and primed onboard, and was believed to be due to a faulty primer; although the official enquiry found that the work of priming the mines was being done both in a hurry and by untrained personnel. Pearn’s body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Note: Owing to the fact that the medals are held in a glazed display frame, the reverse of the 1914-15 Star has not been seen. Consequently this lot is sold as viewed and not subject to return.

Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand delivered within mainland Britain by prior arrangement.