Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Able Seaman J. H. Whitmore, Royal Navy, who was serving in H.M.S. Penelope when she was damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-29 off the Norfolk coast on 25 April 1916

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (238107 J. H. Whitmore, Ord. H.M.S. Hyacinth:); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (238107 J. H. Whitmore, A.B., H.M.S. Hyacinth.); 1914-15 Star (238107 J. H. Whitmore. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (238107 J. H. Whitmore. A.B. R.N.) light contact marks, very fine (5) £500-£700

James Henry Whitmore was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 12 April 1891. He enlisted into the Royal Navy with the rate of Boy Second Class in January 1907, first serving at the boy’s training establishment H.M.S. Ganges before being posted to H.M.S. Indefatigable in April 1907. After some time with H.M.S. Vivid, Pembroke, Hibernia and Royal Arthur he transferred to the cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth on 27 March 1909, and served in her during the operations off the coast of Somaliland, and also in the Persian Gulf. On the outbreak of the Great War he was serving aboard the depot ship H.M.S. Tyne before transferring to the cruiser H.M.S Penelope in January 1915, and was aboard her when, on 25 April 1916, Penelope was damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-29 off the Norfolk coast. In February 1919, while serving in the destroyer H.M.S. Liberty, Whitmore was apprehended by the civil police on suspicion of being an absentee. He later deserted the following October, this time from the Royal Naval Reserve drill ship H.M.S. Satellite. Upon being recovered, he was tried and sentenced to 30 days’ detention.