A Very Important
"BATTLE of CORONEL"
1914-15 Star Trio & Plaque,
To:
SS.115515. Stoker 2nd Class. John Smith. R.N.
HMS GOOD HOPE,
Killed-in-Action
Sunday 1st November 1914
When HMS Good Hope was sunk by
SMS SCHARNHORST & GNEISENAU.
This was the first ship lost in a surface fleet action by the Royal Navy since The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
HMS GOOD HOPE was a Drake Class Armoured Cruiser which were at the time among the fastest ships in the world. They were good steamers and very economical in service. HMS Good Hope was originally going to be named HMS Africa. She became the flagship of Rear Admiral Craddock (Flag Captain was P Francklin RN) of the South American station during August 1914. She was sunk by gunfire on 1st November 1914 by the German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau off the Chilean Coast during the battle of Coronel.
The position of the sinking is 36* 59' 1" S 73* 48' 49" W. of the South American Coast at VALPARISO, CHILE, and the time was 19:50 when the main magazine exploded and the 14,000 ton ship went to the bottom.
The third salvo from Scharnhorst hit Good hope, knocking out her forward 9.2 inch gun. HMS Monmouth was also hit by the third salvo from Gneisenau, setting her forward turret on fire. The German gun crews maintained a rapid and accurate fire, both leading British cruisers being hit over thirty times with all hands, a total of 1600 men from both ships being lost at sea. The R.N.ships involved scored two hits on Scharnhorst and four hits on Gneisenau with just three German sailors wounded. 
HMS GOOD HOPE
The late Stoker John Smith was from the Gateshead and Newcastle on Tyne area of England and his father, Hugh Smith had already served a short service engagement in the British Army (3/Durham Light Infantry) after signing on at Gateshead on 7th June 1902.
HUGH SMITH'S ATTESTATION FORM
He was a labourer from 4 Meeting House Lane at the time of his enlistment. Subsequently moving to 14 Ellison Square, Gateshead, this is thought to be the address at which the young John Smith grew up. He later moved to 35 Pandon Street, Newcastle on Tyne which is where on 21st November 1914 he received the sad news by Telegram of his son's loss at sea on 1st November.
THE RARE ORIGINAL TELEGRAM RECEIVED BY ALL NEXT OF KIN.This now 'infamous' telegram was heavily criticised at the time as being totally insensitive as there is no sign of any condolence or sympathy to the families. Indeed it actually says that their loved ones were only "believed to be on board" which clearly in many cases would have raised false hope of a survival. The ship was lost with all hands. Of the 919 crewmen there was no trace & no survivors.
REAR ADMIRAL CRADDOCK & SOME OF THE SHIPS CREW IN 1914
An excellent and highly historically important group.
Medals EF on original ribbons, Plaque polished VF+
JOHN SMITH IS REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR ON
THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
SOLD.
HUGH SMITH'S ATTESTATION FORM 
THE RARE ORIGINAL TELEGRAM RECEIVED BY ALL NEXT OF KIN.
