Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: J. H. West, Boy First Class, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when H.M.S Defence exploded after being hit by two salvoes from SMS Derfflinger and several other German battleships, and sank with the loss of all hands

1914-15 Star (J.32249. J. H. West. Boy I, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.32249 J. H. West. Boy 1 R.N.) nearly extremely fine (3) £180-£220

James Henry West, a native of Chatham, Kent, joined the Royal Navy and served during the Great War as a Boy First Class in H.M.S. Defence, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, who led the First Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May - 1 June 1916. At Jutland the armoured cruisers H.M.S. Defence and Warrior were closing with the disabled German light cruiser Wiesbaden, when they came under concentrated fire from the battlecruiser Derfflinger and four battleships at less than 8,000 yards. The Defence was hit by two salvoes which caused the detonation of a magazine and surrounding ammunition, and she exploded, with the loss of all hands.

West is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.