Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Able Seaman T. R. W. H. Haskell, Royal Navy, who drowned in the River Thames in 1920 after becoming entangled in weeds; tragically, a fellow sailor aboard the battleship Warspite met his death at the same time attempting to effect a rescue

British War and Victory Medals (J.73419 T. R. W. H. Haskell. Ord. R.N.) extremely fine (2) £60-£80

Thomas Richard William Henry Haskell was born in Tunbridge Wells on 1 February 1901 and joined the Royal Navy at Devonport as Boy 2nd Class on 12 July 1917. He transferred to Warspite on 28 May 1918 and was advanced Able Seaman 24 January 1920. His papers note ‘discharged dead’ on 10 August 1920, adding ‘drowned’. The Hull Daily Mail of 11 August 1920 adds a little more information:
‘Drowning Cases.
Whilst bathing from the public walk, Lower-Sunbury Road, Hampton, Fred Wellington and another man named Askell [sic] became entangled in the weeds and were drowned. Askell was the first in difficulties, and shouted for help. Wellington called out, “I am coming, hold out!” and swam across, but was also caught, and both were drowned.’

The Portsmouth Evening News later confirmed the young men as good friends, both serving sailors aboard Warspite, who were enjoying their leave at the home of Mr. Frederick Charles Wellington whilst the ship was docked at Devonport. Haskell was later buried at Ladywell Cemetery in Lewisham.