Lot 2340

Description

Trio to KIA at Battle of Jutland: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. J.8509. W.H.T.Furneaux. A.B. R.N. All medals impressed. Toned extremely fine.

Together with Battle of Jutland Memorial medal, 1916, in white metal (45mm) (BHM 4124).
William Henry Thomas Furneaux, born 30Aug1894 at Plymouth, Devon, England; Enl.23May1910 in Royal Navy at Devonport, Devon, UK; served on various HM ships and establishments as Boy Class 1 and then Able Seaman; KIA at sea on HMS Defence at the Battle of Jutland 31May1916; commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon, UK; also on the Commemorative Roll at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT, Australia; note that William's parents, Samuel and Emily Furneaux emigrated to South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1914.
HMS Defence was sunk on 31May1916 during the Battle of Jutland when she was fired upon by one German battle cruiser and four dreadnoughts when she attempted to engage a disabled German light cruiser. She was struck by two salvoes that detonated her rear magazine and that fire spread to the ship's secondary magazines that also exploded. The entire crew were killed.
With research.