Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Stoker J. Heron, Royal Navy, who served as part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Jutland
1914-15 Star (SS.117206 J. Heron. Sto.2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (SS.117206 J. Heron. Sto. R.N.) nearly very fine

Four: Chief Motor Mechanic B. G. O’Connell, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
1914-15 Star (M.B.562. B. O’Connell M.B. R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (M.B.562 B. O’Connell. C.M.M. R.N.V.R.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Burnie Gladstone O’Connell) generally very fine (7) £120-£160

Joseph Heron, a rivetter, was born in Sunderland on 3 June 1896 and joined the Royal Navy at Portsmouth on 1 June 1915. Posted to the destroyer H.M.S. Ambuscade as Stoker 2nd Class from 22 September 1915, he fought at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 and is noted as ‘returned to civil employment’ upon demobilisation in July 1918.

Burnie G. O’Connell, an electrical engineer, was born in Swansea on 26 December 1896 and enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 9 September 1915. Posted to H.M.S. M.L.80 from 1 May 1916 to 15 April 1918, he spent the majority of the Great War on coastal and anti-submarine patrols. Transferred to Falmouth 17 July 1918, he witnessed the final two weeks of hostilities on the books of H.M.S. Hermione, headquarters ship for motor launches and coastal motor boats. Demobilised in May 1919, his name is listed in St. Jude’s Church, Swansea, as one of the men from the Parish who served during the Great War.