Lot 103
A Royal Navy, Cameroon Operations Great War Long Service Group
At Sea, On Land & In The Air | M24003
Auction: 24 September 2024 at 18:30 BST
Description
A Royal Navy Cameroon Operations Great War Long Service Group of 4 awarded to Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Knights Royal Navy comprising 1914-15 Star, (225081. B. Knights. P.O.R.N.), 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (225081 B.K. Knights. P.O.1. R.N.), Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, GVR, (225081. Benjamin Knights, C.P.O. H.M.S. Columbine.), very fine (4)
Benjamin Knights was born on the 13th of September 1886 in Runham, Norfolk, a Fishing Hand by trade. He joined the Royal Navy on the 13th of September 1904. He served aboard H.M.S. Dwarf during the Cameroon In preparation for the coming Allied landings, the Germans mined the Wouri estuary. They sunk 10 or 12 steamships and mine planters in the river mouth of the Wouri, to prevent landings at Douala. On 11 September 1914 the 710-ton gunboat HMS Dwarf attempted to enter the river mouth but was damaged by German artillery fire and retreated. On 15 September an attempt was made to blow up the Dwarf with a launch full of explosives, but failed. On 16 September, the German customs cutter Nachtigal rammed the Dwarf; an ensuing explosion sank the Nachtigal, killing 36 of her crew. Another attempt to sink the Dwarf took place when two German launches used spar torpedoes to sink the ship but failed.
By the end of the Great War Chief Petty Officer Knight’s was aboard H.M.S. Columbine when he received his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. He was Pensioned to Shore on the 12th of September 1926. His Service Papers show that he re-enlisted as a C.P.O. with 6 years seniority on the 28th of August 1939 and was posted to H.M.S. Prosperine, (last entry on Service Papers) on the 30th of April 1940.
Sold with Copy Service Papers, copy Medal Roll confirming 1914-15 Trio
