Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman E. W. Ring, Royal Navy, later Royal Fleet Reserve, who served at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 in H.M.S. Neptune

1914-15 Star (J.34442, E. W. Ring, Ord., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.34442. E. W. Ring. A.B. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (J.34442 (Dev. B.13811) E. W. Ring. A.B. R.F.R.) the Great War awards polished with pitting from Star, fair, the last very fine (4) £100-£140

Ernest William Ring, a farm boy, was born in Martock, Devon, on 5 August 1897, and attested for the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class on 3 February 1915. Posted to the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Neptune from 30 May 1915, he was raised Able Seaman 1 February 1916 and fought at the Battle of Jutland; as nineteenth ship from the head of the battle line, H.M.S. Neptune engaged the crippled light cruiser S.M.S. Weisbaden and the battlecruiser S.M.S. Derfflinger, later claiming two hits.

Transferred to H.M.S. Southampton from 30 January 1917 to 14 April 1921, Ring was later granted a Certificate for wounds and hurts on 10 December 1924 after being injured whilst playing football. Qualified Range Taker 2nd Class, he served aboard H.M.S. Vesper, H.M.S. Thistle and H.M.S. Hood, before transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve at Devonport on 5 August 1927. Described as a ‘good, hardworking man, entirely trustworthy, cheerful and willing’, he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1930 and was discharged in August 1937.

Sold with the recipient’s original Royal Navy Service Record on parchment and Gunnery History Sheet; Hurt Certificate and pension correspondence; together with the original Royal Navy Certificate of Service relating to the recipient’s son, Trevor Ivan John Ring, Royal Navy, who served from 1954-61, latterly as Electrician’s Mate (civilian employee) at the Royal Naval Works Department, H.M.S. Cambria, and who was killed at the Royal Naval Admiralty Depot on 25 August 1961 after being electrocuted; with extensive Royal Navy inquiry documentation.