1914 Star Medal Trio Royal Naval Division Sinking of HMS Alcantara & Antwerp
A rare and very interesting 1914 Star medal trio to an Able Seaman from Howe Battalion of the Royal Naval Division who served at the disastrous defence of Antwerp from August - October 1914 and who was serving on HMS Alcantara on 29th February 1916 when she engaged the German merchant raider / auxiliary cruiser Greif with both ships sinking following the action. The medals were awarded to Frederick Charles Proctor who came from Newhaven. The 1914 Star is correctly named as follows. The War and Victory medals are correctly named as follows. In April 1915 she was requisitioned her and he sister ships'A-Series' ships the Avon, Arlanza and Andes to be armed merchant cruisers.
She was armed with six 150mm guns, anti aircraft guns and depth charges. On 17th April she was commissioned into the Royal Navy's 10th Cruiser Squadron as HMS Ancantra. A battle ensued and both ships were badly damaged. Greif was kept afloat due to the amount of cork that she was carrying but was later sunk by HMS Andes and HMS Comus. The battle killed 230 from the Greif and 68 from Alcantra.
210 German survivors were rescued. Frederick Charles Proctor was born 14/3/1896 and his home address was 55 South Rd, Newhaven. Occupation given as a dock labourer. He enlisted in the R.
His service records confirm the following. 22/8/1914 - Joined Howe Battalion & landed Antwerp. 16/6/1918 3/9/1918 HMS (Gunnery School).
Copies of his service records, a full description of the history and battle between the HMS Ancantra and the SMS Greif and other documentation will be sent with the medals. Please let me know if you need any additional photos or details. Please see my other listings of British and foreign Medals and Militaria.
The item "1914 Star Medal Trio Royal Naval Division Sinking of HMS Alcantara & Antwerp" is in sale since Tuesday, June 2, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons". The seller is "harrypitt69" and is located in Nottingham. This item can be shipped worldwide.- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Country/ Organization: Great Britain
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Type: Medals & Ribbons
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
- Service: Navy
- Era: 1914-1945