Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Able Seaman W. A. Russell, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, killed in the explosion which destroyed H.M.S. Natal, 30 December 1915

1914-15 Star (C.Z.6094 A.B., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (C.Z.6094 A.B., R.N.V.R.); Memorial Plaque (William Alexander Russell) some adhesive marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £200-250

Able Seaman William Alexander Russell, R.N.V.R., from Motherwell, Scotland, was killed in the internal explosion that destroyed the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Natal at anchor in the Cromarty Firth on 30 December 1915.

During the Great War the Royal Navy lost 4 ships to internal explosions whilst lying in harbour, the other three being, H.M. Ships Bulwark, Princess Irene and Vanguard. At the time there was much speculation that these losses were due to sabotage by enemy agents. However, the more likely explanation is that they were the result of the deterioration of the stocks of high explosives carried on board.

Natal’s upturned hull remained visible at low water for many years, and right up until the 1939-45 War it was R.N. practice on entering and leaving Cromarty for every warship to sound “Still” and for officers and men to come to attention as they passed the wreck.

With a photograph of the recipient mounted on card and other copied images.