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A Rare & Unusual 1914-15 Star
'CASUALTY' Trio:
To:
6902. Pte.H.B.SHERMAN. R.A.M.C.ORDERLY, H.M.HOSPITAL SHIP SALTA
(Medical Orderly)
Killed-in-Action (Drowned) 10th April 1917.
Lost aboard H.M.Hospital Ship SALTA, ( 461 hospital beds ) which struck a mine layed by German Submarine UC26 off Le Havre.The tragic story of the loss of H.M.H.S. SALTA is a classic example of what happens when a ships captain veers off a previously set 'safe' course when mines are known to be in the area. The Captain of Salta ( Captain Eastaway ) who was concerned about navigating the ship into port in bad weather without a pilot decided to alter course to the North into an area which was known to contain lose floating mines. Despite frantic messages from SS DIAMOND the SALTA hit a mine and at 11:43am there was a massive explosion. 86 Lives were lost among the medical services and naval crew with only 13 bodies initially recovered.
A seldom encountered 1914-15 Star Trio to an Army (R.A.M.C.) man who entered theatre of war at a very early date on 20th August 1914
Oddly, because this soldier was not on French or Belgian soil during the required period of 5th August -22nd November 1914 he did not qualify for a 1914 Star !
Had he been serving on land he would have been issued with the earlier award.
A HIGHLY DESIRABLE & UNUSUAL GROUP. With original ribbons.
£475