HMS FOX, HMS HOGUE, HMS GOLIATH, HMS SUTLEJ. [BIOGRAPHY]Chief Yeoman Signaller,John Henry Ward was born on 15th October 1872 in Marlborough Down, Wiltshire. An errand boy, he joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday on 15th October 1890 for an initial 12 year engagement. He had an exciting career in many ships which included HMS FOX in the Persian Gulf just before WW1.
HMS SUTLEJ & THE MESSINA EARTHQUAKE.(1908)During his time in the R.N. John Ward also had the distinction of being awarded the Messina Earthquake Medal which was presented by the Italian Government in 1908 to the crews of the British ships who assisted in the aftermath of the disaster. THE SINKING OF HMS GOLIATH. (13th May 1915) The Gallipoli Disaster.
On 2nd August 1914, two days before the declaration of WW1 he boarded HMS GOLIATH in which he served until her sinking by a torpedo on the night of the 13th May 1915. HMS Goliath was providing artillery support for the forces at Gallipoli when she was torpedoed by the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet-I-Miliet which had approached Goliath unseen under cover of darkness. She sank rapidly with the loss of 570 men. John Ward was lucky to get away with his life as there were only about 173 survivors from this major ship loss. The German built but Turkish Navy operated Muavanet-i-Miliet was under the command of a German Captain, Lieutenant Firle and his attack was so well prepared and so sudden that the Turkish torpedo boat was able to withdraw through the straits without any damage.Mr Ward then served in various ships and shore establishments until his discharge on 31st January 1919 after almost 30 years of service. He was aged 47 when he left the sea. With copy of his service sheet.A WONDERFUL & HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT GROUP, FIT FOR INCLUSION IN THE BEST OF ROYAL NAVAL COLLECTIONS.£1325.00 with part exchanges welcome.