Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Chief Petty Officer W. G. Howitt, Royal Navy, who won the Naval Good Shooting Medal in 1913, when serving in H.M.S. Princess Royal, and subsequently served in her at the Battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (180011, W. G. Howitt, Act. CPO., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (180011 W. G. Howitt. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (180011 W. G. Howitt, P.O. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Impregnable.); Naval Good Shooting Medal, G.V.R. (180011 W. G. Howitt. P.O. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Princess Royal. 1913 4 In. B.L.) BWM partially officially corrected, very fine and better (5) £300-£400

William George Howitt was born on 6 July 1878, at Southampton, and commenced naval service as Boy Second Class in H.M.S. St. Vincent, on 30 June 1894. He was appointed to H.M.S. Australia, on 24 October 1895, and to H.M.S. Imperieuse, on 5 March 1896, being advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 6 July 1896, and Able Seaman on 12 December 1897. He served in numerous ships during his naval career, including H.M.S. Tauranga, H.M.S. Excellent, H.M.S. Barfleur, H.M.S. Prince George, H.M.S. Impregnable, and H.M.S. Leviathan. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1911.

Howitt was appointed to H.M.S. Princess Royal on 13 November 1912, and was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal in 1913. He was promoted Acting Chief Petty Officer on 5 March 1915, and was confirmed in this rate on 5 March 1916. He served in H.M.S. Princess Royal for the majority of the Great War, and was present at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, in August 1914, before proceeding to the Caribbean Sea to prevent the German East Asia Squadron from using the Panama Canal. After the East Asia Squadron was sunk at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December, Princess Royal rejoined the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron. During the Battle of Dogger Bank, the ship scored only a few hits, although one crippled the German armoured cruiser Blücher. Shortly afterward, she became the flagship of the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron. H.M.S. Princess Royal was moderately damaged during the Battle of Jutland and required a month and a half of repairs. Howitt then transferred to H.M.S. Iron Duke from 29 November 1916, and then to H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth to 21 April 1919, when he was demobilised to shore.