A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL GROUP OF SEVEN TO A CHIEF PETT...

Hammer

£2,000

A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL GROUP OF SEVEN TO A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AT THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND. A group of seven comprising a George V Distinguished Service Medal named to 165128 T. Knight C.P.O. H.M.S. Verdun 1917. Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony Clasp named to 165128 P.O. 2 Cl. T. Knight H.M.S. Tartar, 1914-15 Star to J Knight as C.P.O. War Medal similarly named, Victory Medal with Mentioned in Dispatches Oak Leaf to T Knight, Edward VII Long Service and Good Conduct Medal named to 165128 Thomas Knight P.O. 1 Cl H.M.S. Diamond and Russian St George's Cross IV Class. Thomas Knight was born on the 29th October 1876 in Croydon, Surrey. Working as a butcher he joined the Royal Navy on the 29th October 1894, initially for a period of 12 years. The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded on the 29th December, his citation signed by Commander Thomson of H.M.S. Verdun of the Grand Fleet, 13th Destroyer Flotilla, is glowing in its testimony. 'Chief Petty Officer Knight has been Torpedo Coxswain of a Grand Fleet Destroyer during the whole war, and has been present at the Actions of Heligoland 1914 and Jutland 1916. During the night of 31st May 1916, he was at the wheel when 'Petard' passed close ahead of the German Battlefleet, and under a heavy fire. At this period C.P.O. Knight behaved with great coolness, as any mistake on his part at that moment would have resulted in the loss of the ship. As the Surgeon Probationer had been killed, C.P.O. Knight had practically the entire care of the wounded and was commanded by Their Lordships in the Jutland Despatch. He had always carried out his duties as Coxswain in a most trustworthy and efficient manner'. The award was confirmed in the London Gazette on the 8th March 1918. Following the War he joined the new Coastguard Force. With copied medal rolls and service record *Condition: The T and J seems to be a genuine error as the number remains constant throughout the group. Remounted for display.