Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Commander C. D. O. Shakespear, Royal Navy, Navigator of H.M.S. Hyacinth during the Great War

1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr., R.N.); Defence and War Medals, good very fine (5) £400-500

Ex D.N.W. 30 June 1998, lot 470.

Charles Douglas Owst Shakespear was navigating officer of the 2nd Class cruiser H.M.S. Hyacinth from January 1913 to July 1918. Hyacinth was flagship of the British Squadron stationed off German East Africa for the entire war and was successful in destroying S.S. Kronbórg in April 1915, intercepting S.S. Reubens in May 1915, and sinking S.S. Tabora at Dar-es-Salaam in March 1916. During this same period Hyacinth was flagship when S.M.S. Königsberg was destroyed by the monitors H.M.S. Severn and Mersey; at the landings at Tanga and Bagamoyo, and during the blockade of German East Africa. These operations required expert navigation, particularly the Rufiji River Delta, and throughout Shakespear was given high evaluations: “thoroughly trustworthy and reliable pilot; clearheaded; cheerful, efficient and tactful executive officer.”

In October 1918 he was appointed King’s Harbour Master at the Dockyard, Cape of Good Hope. He retired in 1922, was recalled in 1940 and assigned to Afrikander (South African Base) as Staff Officer, Intelligence. Commander Shakespear died on 14 November 1952. Prior to the Great War he corresponded with Winston Churchill whose warm responses were sold at auction. Copies of catalogue entries for three letters and a copy of his service record are sold with the group.