1914-15 Star Trio.
To:
Lieutenant EDWARD THOMAS R.N.R.
Lt Thomas was a member of the crew involved in the infamous "Q" SHIP, RHODODENDRON 'abandonment' to the U-70 German Submarmarine in the action of 5th May 1918.
...The British Flower Class sloop Rhododendron was constructed in 1917 as a purpose built 'Q' Ship, (a warship disguised as a merchant ship to lure German submarines within range of their concealed gun batteries).
The sloop was patrolling off Mull Head in the Orkney Islands when struck by a single torpedo from U-70. The Captain, Lieutenant Commander Charles Arthur Peal, became disoriented in the aftermath of the explosion, and instead of ordering away a "panic party" to draw the submarine within range, actually ordered the entire crew to evacuate the ship, which was carried out in great haste and confusion.
(Captain Otto Wunsche, Commander of U-70)
U-70 approached the burning ship and observed the chaotic evacuation, and upon seizing a petty officer from a life raft discovered the ship's true identity.
U-70 then shelled the wreck and escaped without coming under fire. Rhododendron capsized and sank the following morning, with the loss of 15 men, four killed in the explosion and 11 drowned during the evacuation. Peal and the rest of the crew were heavily criticized for their conduct under fire by an Admiralty board.
Lt Thomas's service record ( included ) shows that he was already i uniform on 13th November 1914 as a Sub Lieut. He was later involved in the Court Marshall (13th May 1918) which investigated the loss of the ship. The CM found that he "does not possess qualities for an officer in the RNR" He thus decided to terminate his commission on 30th June 1918.
A great story of when things don't go quite to plan.
An excellent group for further research .
EF + on original ribbons.
£495
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