Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

H.M.S. Natal Medal 1915, Arms of Natal, enclosed by two branches of oak, ‘From the People of Natal’; reverse: the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Natal, ‘Presented to H.M.S. Natal 1915’ (Ernest A. Pipe), 26mm., silver, integral loop and ring suspension, sometime gilded and with edge bruising possibly caused by an old brooch-mount, about very fine £40-60

Ernest Arthur Pipe, a Signalman, R.N., was killed on 30 December 1915, aged 18 years, when his ship, the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Natal, was sunk by an internal explosion whilst at anchor in the Cromarty Firth. The loss of life was heavy, with 25 officers and 380 ratings being killed.