Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British War Medal 1914-20 (3) (M8589 W. T. Matthew Car. Cr. R.N.; SS.111544 W. Will. L. Sto. R.N.; Ply.338-S- Act. Sgt. L. Snellgrove. R.M.L.I.) suspension claw loose on 1st, last officially renamed, edge bruising, nearly very fine (3) (3) £80-£120

William Thomas Matthews was a native of Islington, London, and the son of Mr and Mrs W. T. S. Matthews, of 19, Whitehall Park Road, Chiswick, London. He served during the Great War as Carpenter’s Crew with H.M.S. Black Prince, and was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland. During the late afternoon and night of 31 May the Black Prince had lost touch with the main fleet, and at about 00.15 on 1 June she found herself 1,600 yards from ships of the German 1st Battle Squadron. Illuminated by searchlights, several German battleships then swept her with fire at point blank range. Unable to respond, she burst into flames and four minutes later after a terrific explosion she sank with all hands - 37 officers, 815 ratings, and 5 civilians. Matthews in commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

William Will was born in Aberdeen in March 1893. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in November 1911, and subsequent service included with H.M.S. Legion from 18 July 1914. Whilst serving with her, Will took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight. He transferred to the cruiser Calliope in March 1916, and served with her as part of the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland.

Louis Snellgrove served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry during the Great War, and was wounded in action at Gallipoli. Snellgrove served with H.M.S. Fox, and was awarded the M.S.M. for services in Russia (London Gazette 17 October 1919, having already been M.I.D. London Gazette 22 April 1919).