Orders, Decorations and Medals

An unusual C.B. group of three awarded to Principal Deputy Director Herbert S. Pengelly, Royal Corps of Naval Constructors, designer of the King George V class of battleships

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Civil) silver-gilt neck badge, in its case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Asst. Constr. 2 Cl., R.C.N.C.) two minor official corrections to the Victory Medal, otherwise extremely fine and rare (3) £400-500

Herbert Staddon Pengelly was born on 1 October 1892, and educated at Stoke Public Higher School, Devonport; H.M. Dockyard School, Devonport; and R.N.C., Greenwich. He was appointed Assistant Constructor 2nd Class, Royal Corps of Naval Constructors, in 1916, and served as Constructor Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Renown, 1917-18. After experience at sea during the Great War, Pengelly became Lecturer at Greenwich and Keyham. By 1923 he had begun his career in battleship design, working for Sir Stanley Goodall on the Nelson but remaining visiting lecturer at Greenwich, where he became Professor in 1929. He left in 1934, having been involved with the training of every Constructor entering Greenwich from 1918 to 1933, a remarkable record. On his return to the Admiralty, he designed the King George V class, on which Lion and Vanguard were based. As Fleet Constructor Captain to the Far East Fleet, 1942-44, he had the distinction of serving in uniform in both world wars. He was subsequently appointed Assistant Director of Naval Construction, 1942-51, and Principal Deputy Director, October 1951 to November 1954, when he retired from Admiralty Service and was created a Companion of the Bath. Sold with a copy of The History of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors by D. K. Brown.