Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914-15 Star (Mid. F. Schunck, R.N.), good very fine £40-60

Frank Schunck, who was appointed a Midshipman in August 1914, served in the battleship H.M.S. Barham between July 1915 and July 1917, latterly as an Acting Sub. Lieutenant, and was consequently present at the battle of Jutland. In that memorable engagement, Barham was Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's flagship in the 5th Battle Squadron, attached to Admiral David Beatty's battle cruisers, and fired 337 15-inch shells and 25 6-inch shells during the battle. The number of hits she achieved cannot be confirmed, but it is believed that she and her sister ship Valiant made 23 or 24 hits between them, making them two of the most accurate warships in the British Fleet. However, she received six hits during the battle, five from 12-inch shells and one from an 11-inch shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded.

Schunck went on to serve in the Grasshopper in July-October 1917, and thence in the Lennox until the War’s end. He attained the rank of Commander in May 1942, having been recalled for duties in the Naval Ordnance Department, and ended the last War on attachment to the Royal Australian Navy.