Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant-Commander A. B. Cornabe, Royal Navy, who was present at the battles of the Falkland Islands and Jutland
1914-15 Star (Lt. Cr. A. B. Cornabe, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Cdr. A. B., Cornate. R.N.) note spelling of surname on last two, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£300

Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

Archibald Boyd Cornabe was born at Beckenham, Kent on 23 March 1886, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in May 1901, aged 15. His first seagoing appointment was as a Midshipman in H.M.S. Glory and he was advanced to Sub-Lieutenant in November 1905 and to Lieutenant in May 1907. Joining Hermione in July 1913 he was ‘Mentioned by Rear-Admiral 4th Cruiser Squadron for service rendered in carrying despatches during revolution in Mexico 1914’ (the ‘Tampico Affair’).

By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was serving in the cruiser Bristol and he quickly saw action in the battle of the Falklands in December. On her raising steam at Port Stanley, she was dispatched with the armed merchant cruiser Macedonia to intercept enemy ships reported to be 30 miles south. They turned out to be three German colliers, two of which were sunk after their crew had been taken off.

On returning home in December 1915, Cornabe, who had been advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in May 1915, was appointed to the battleship Malaya, in which he was subsequently present at the battle of Jutland. On that occasion, Malaya was heavily engaged, firing over 200 15-inch shells and 30 6-inch shells, in addition to a torpedo. In response, she was hit by seven large projectiles and suffered losses of 63 killed and 68 wounded. Cornabe’s final wartime posting was to Edgar, from August 1918. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request in March 1928 and died on 23 May 1931, aged 45.

Sold with copied record of service.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s brother, see Lot 89.