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An inter-war C.B. group of ten awarded to Vice-Admiral W. J. S. Alderson, Royal Navy, one...
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Description
An inter-war C.B. group of ten awarded to Vice-Admiral W. J. S. Alderson, Royal Navy, one of a handful of naval officers to qualify for the Khedive’s Sudan Medal for services in the Dongola expedition in 1896
Of greater note, however, is the fact it was his prompt reactions as captain of the battleship H.M.S. Dreadnought that led to her ramming and sinking submarine ace Otto Weddigen’s U-29 on 28 March 1915, thereby avenging the loss of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (W. J. S. Alderson. Nav: Cad: R.N. H.M.S. Agincourt); 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, some chips to green enamel; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed, the last nine mounted for display, the first with light pitting from star, otherwise good very fine or better (10) £2,000-£2,400
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Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
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Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.
C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1922.
William John Standly Alderson was born at Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmonds, on 10 June 1867, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1880, aged 13. And he was still a Cadet at the time of joining H.M.S. Agincourt in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1882, aboard which he participated in the Egypt operations.
Having then been appointment a Midshipman in January 1883, while serving in the Northampton on the North America station, he returned home to an appointment in the Channel Squadron and was advanced to Sub Lieutenant in January 1887.
Next appointed to the Boadicea, he was advanced to the acting rank of Lieutenant in January 1889 and served as Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Hon. E. R. Fremantle, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies. Confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in October 1890, he was ordered home in the following month, Fremantle writing, 'I much regret losing his services as Flag Lieutenant, he is a zealous and capable officer.’
Further seagoing appointment ensued, in the Channel Squadron and further afield, off North America and the West Indies. Then in September 1895 he joined the Melita in the Mediterranean, in which he served off the Sudanese coast during the Dongola operations in April-June 1896, thereby qualifying for the Khedive’s Sudan medal. And a spate of new appointments in the period leading up to the Great War witnessed his advancement to Commander in December 1902 and attendance of the Senior Officer’s Gunnery and Torpedo Course. So, too, services at the Admiralty in 1909-11.
In July 1914, Alderson was appointed to the command of the famous battleship Dreadnought, and he remained likewise employed until July 1916. On 28 March 1915, Dreadnought claimed a famous German scalp, that of Otto Weddigen, who had overseen the destruction of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914. That was in the U-9 but at the time of his loss to Dreadnought, Pour-Le-Merite-holder Weddigen was in command of the U-29. Sir Julian Corbett takes up the story in his Naval Operations:
‘By noon they were within fifty miles of the Firth, and a signal was made to Admiral Sturdee to the 4th Battle Squadron to the southward to proceed to Cromarty, passing under the stern of the other two squadrons. He was just doing so when, at 12:15, the Marlborough, flagship of the 1st and southernmost squadron, signalled there was a submarine ahead. A torpedo had just been seen to pass astern, and the enemy was clearly bent on another shot. But as Admiral Sturdee had just started to swing to starboard upon his new course he could not turn away, as laid down in standing orders. The Dreadnought was outermost ship to port, the submarine’s periscope was on her port bow, and increasing to full speed Captain W. J. S. Alderson made directly for it; the Temeraire, which was next in line, did the same. In vain the submarine doubled this way and that; the Dreadnought, handled as she was by Commander H. W. C. Hughes, the navigating officer, was too nimble for her, and after a breathless ten minutes the famous battleship crashed over her. For a minute her bows reared out of the water astern of the Dreadnought, there was just time to read the number ‘29’ and then she slowly settled by the stern and that was her end. Nothing but oil and a little wreckage came to the surface; every man went down with her, including Captain Weddigen, her commander, and thus was avenged the loss of the three ‘Cressy’s’ and the Hawke.’
Alderson received the approbation of Their Lordships and, following a spell in command of Scottish East Coast and Western Coast Guard Districts, he was appointed Captain of Devonport Dockyard. In April 1917, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent and King’s Harbour Master. Subsequently awarded the Legion of Honour (London Gazette 21 June 1918, refers) and appointed Naval A.D.C. to the King in January 1919, Alderson was advanced to Rear-Admiral in September 1919.
His final appointment was as Commanding Officer of the Reserve Fleet at the Nore in 1921-22, when he flew his flag in the battleship Erin, but he was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1925. He settled at Ovingham House, Cardigan, where he died in May 1946.
Sold with his original vellum warrant for his appointment to Officer of the French Legion of Honour, in the name of ‘Captain William John Standly Alderson, Grand Fleet’, and dated 28 August 1918, together with three portrait photographs and miniature medal ribbon bar.
Of greater note, however, is the fact it was his prompt reactions as captain of the battleship H.M.S. Dreadnought that led to her ramming and sinking submarine ace Otto Weddigen’s U-29 on 28 March 1915, thereby avenging the loss of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (W. J. S. Alderson. Nav: Cad: R.N. H.M.S. Agincourt); 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, some chips to green enamel; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed, the last nine mounted for display, the first with light pitting from star, otherwise good very fine or better (10) £2,000-£2,400
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Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.
C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1922.
William John Standly Alderson was born at Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmonds, on 10 June 1867, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1880, aged 13. And he was still a Cadet at the time of joining H.M.S. Agincourt in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1882, aboard which he participated in the Egypt operations.
Having then been appointment a Midshipman in January 1883, while serving in the Northampton on the North America station, he returned home to an appointment in the Channel Squadron and was advanced to Sub Lieutenant in January 1887.
Next appointed to the Boadicea, he was advanced to the acting rank of Lieutenant in January 1889 and served as Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Hon. E. R. Fremantle, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies. Confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in October 1890, he was ordered home in the following month, Fremantle writing, 'I much regret losing his services as Flag Lieutenant, he is a zealous and capable officer.’
Further seagoing appointment ensued, in the Channel Squadron and further afield, off North America and the West Indies. Then in September 1895 he joined the Melita in the Mediterranean, in which he served off the Sudanese coast during the Dongola operations in April-June 1896, thereby qualifying for the Khedive’s Sudan medal. And a spate of new appointments in the period leading up to the Great War witnessed his advancement to Commander in December 1902 and attendance of the Senior Officer’s Gunnery and Torpedo Course. So, too, services at the Admiralty in 1909-11.
In July 1914, Alderson was appointed to the command of the famous battleship Dreadnought, and he remained likewise employed until July 1916. On 28 March 1915, Dreadnought claimed a famous German scalp, that of Otto Weddigen, who had overseen the destruction of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914. That was in the U-9 but at the time of his loss to Dreadnought, Pour-Le-Merite-holder Weddigen was in command of the U-29. Sir Julian Corbett takes up the story in his Naval Operations:
‘By noon they were within fifty miles of the Firth, and a signal was made to Admiral Sturdee to the 4th Battle Squadron to the southward to proceed to Cromarty, passing under the stern of the other two squadrons. He was just doing so when, at 12:15, the Marlborough, flagship of the 1st and southernmost squadron, signalled there was a submarine ahead. A torpedo had just been seen to pass astern, and the enemy was clearly bent on another shot. But as Admiral Sturdee had just started to swing to starboard upon his new course he could not turn away, as laid down in standing orders. The Dreadnought was outermost ship to port, the submarine’s periscope was on her port bow, and increasing to full speed Captain W. J. S. Alderson made directly for it; the Temeraire, which was next in line, did the same. In vain the submarine doubled this way and that; the Dreadnought, handled as she was by Commander H. W. C. Hughes, the navigating officer, was too nimble for her, and after a breathless ten minutes the famous battleship crashed over her. For a minute her bows reared out of the water astern of the Dreadnought, there was just time to read the number ‘29’ and then she slowly settled by the stern and that was her end. Nothing but oil and a little wreckage came to the surface; every man went down with her, including Captain Weddigen, her commander, and thus was avenged the loss of the three ‘Cressy’s’ and the Hawke.’
Alderson received the approbation of Their Lordships and, following a spell in command of Scottish East Coast and Western Coast Guard Districts, he was appointed Captain of Devonport Dockyard. In April 1917, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent and King’s Harbour Master. Subsequently awarded the Legion of Honour (London Gazette 21 June 1918, refers) and appointed Naval A.D.C. to the King in January 1919, Alderson was advanced to Rear-Admiral in September 1919.
His final appointment was as Commanding Officer of the Reserve Fleet at the Nore in 1921-22, when he flew his flag in the battleship Erin, but he was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1925. He settled at Ovingham House, Cardigan, where he died in May 1946.
Sold with his original vellum warrant for his appointment to Officer of the French Legion of Honour, in the name of ‘Captain William John Standly Alderson, Grand Fleet’, and dated 28 August 1918, together with three portrait photographs and miniature medal ribbon bar.
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An inter-war C.B. group of ten awarded to Vice-Admiral W. J. S. Alderson, Royal Navy, one of a handful of naval officers to qualify for the Khedive’s Sudan Medal for services in the Dongola expedition in 1896
Of greater note, however, is the fact it was his prompt reactions as captain of the battleship H.M.S. Dreadnought that led to her ramming and sinking submarine ace Otto Weddigen’s U-29 on 28 March 1915, thereby avenging the loss of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (W. J. S. Alderson. Nav: Cad: R.N. H.M.S. Agincourt); 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, some chips to green enamel; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed, the last nine mounted for display, the first with light pitting from star, otherwise good very fine or better (10) £2,000-£2,400
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.
C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1922.
William John Standly Alderson was born at Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmonds, on 10 June 1867, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1880, aged 13. And he was still a Cadet at the time of joining H.M.S. Agincourt in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1882, aboard which he participated in the Egypt operations.
Having then been appointment a Midshipman in January 1883, while serving in the Northampton on the North America station, he returned home to an appointment in the Channel Squadron and was advanced to Sub Lieutenant in January 1887.
Next appointed to the Boadicea, he was advanced to the acting rank of Lieutenant in January 1889 and served as Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Hon. E. R. Fremantle, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies. Confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in October 1890, he was ordered home in the following month, Fremantle writing, 'I much regret losing his services as Flag Lieutenant, he is a zealous and capable officer.’
Further seagoing appointment ensued, in the Channel Squadron and further afield, off North America and the West Indies. Then in September 1895 he joined the Melita in the Mediterranean, in which he served off the Sudanese coast during the Dongola operations in April-June 1896, thereby qualifying for the Khedive’s Sudan medal. And a spate of new appointments in the period leading up to the Great War witnessed his advancement to Commander in December 1902 and attendance of the Senior Officer’s Gunnery and Torpedo Course. So, too, services at the Admiralty in 1909-11.
In July 1914, Alderson was appointed to the command of the famous battleship Dreadnought, and he remained likewise employed until July 1916. On 28 March 1915, Dreadnought claimed a famous German scalp, that of Otto Weddigen, who had overseen the destruction of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914. That was in the U-9 but at the time of his loss to Dreadnought, Pour-Le-Merite-holder Weddigen was in command of the U-29. Sir Julian Corbett takes up the story in his Naval Operations:
‘By noon they were within fifty miles of the Firth, and a signal was made to Admiral Sturdee to the 4th Battle Squadron to the southward to proceed to Cromarty, passing under the stern of the other two squadrons. He was just doing so when, at 12:15, the Marlborough, flagship of the 1st and southernmost squadron, signalled there was a submarine ahead. A torpedo had just been seen to pass astern, and the enemy was clearly bent on another shot. But as Admiral Sturdee had just started to swing to starboard upon his new course he could not turn away, as laid down in standing orders. The Dreadnought was outermost ship to port, the submarine’s periscope was on her port bow, and increasing to full speed Captain W. J. S. Alderson made directly for it; the Temeraire, which was next in line, did the same. In vain the submarine doubled this way and that; the Dreadnought, handled as she was by Commander H. W. C. Hughes, the navigating officer, was too nimble for her, and after a breathless ten minutes the famous battleship crashed over her. For a minute her bows reared out of the water astern of the Dreadnought, there was just time to read the number ‘29’ and then she slowly settled by the stern and that was her end. Nothing but oil and a little wreckage came to the surface; every man went down with her, including Captain Weddigen, her commander, and thus was avenged the loss of the three ‘Cressy’s’ and the Hawke.’
Alderson received the approbation of Their Lordships and, following a spell in command of Scottish East Coast and Western Coast Guard Districts, he was appointed Captain of Devonport Dockyard. In April 1917, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent and King’s Harbour Master. Subsequently awarded the Legion of Honour (London Gazette 21 June 1918, refers) and appointed Naval A.D.C. to the King in January 1919, Alderson was advanced to Rear-Admiral in September 1919.
His final appointment was as Commanding Officer of the Reserve Fleet at the Nore in 1921-22, when he flew his flag in the battleship Erin, but he was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1925. He settled at Ovingham House, Cardigan, where he died in May 1946.
Sold with his original vellum warrant for his appointment to Officer of the French Legion of Honour, in the name of ‘Captain William John Standly Alderson, Grand Fleet’, and dated 28 August 1918, together with three portrait photographs and miniature medal ribbon bar.
Of greater note, however, is the fact it was his prompt reactions as captain of the battleship H.M.S. Dreadnought that led to her ramming and sinking submarine ace Otto Weddigen’s U-29 on 28 March 1915, thereby avenging the loss of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (W. J. S. Alderson. Nav: Cad: R.N. H.M.S. Agincourt); 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. J. S. Alderson. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, some chips to green enamel; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed, the last nine mounted for display, the first with light pitting from star, otherwise good very fine or better (10) £2,000-£2,400
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.
C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1922.
William John Standly Alderson was born at Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmonds, on 10 June 1867, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1880, aged 13. And he was still a Cadet at the time of joining H.M.S. Agincourt in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1882, aboard which he participated in the Egypt operations.
Having then been appointment a Midshipman in January 1883, while serving in the Northampton on the North America station, he returned home to an appointment in the Channel Squadron and was advanced to Sub Lieutenant in January 1887.
Next appointed to the Boadicea, he was advanced to the acting rank of Lieutenant in January 1889 and served as Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Hon. E. R. Fremantle, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies. Confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant in October 1890, he was ordered home in the following month, Fremantle writing, 'I much regret losing his services as Flag Lieutenant, he is a zealous and capable officer.’
Further seagoing appointment ensued, in the Channel Squadron and further afield, off North America and the West Indies. Then in September 1895 he joined the Melita in the Mediterranean, in which he served off the Sudanese coast during the Dongola operations in April-June 1896, thereby qualifying for the Khedive’s Sudan medal. And a spate of new appointments in the period leading up to the Great War witnessed his advancement to Commander in December 1902 and attendance of the Senior Officer’s Gunnery and Torpedo Course. So, too, services at the Admiralty in 1909-11.
In July 1914, Alderson was appointed to the command of the famous battleship Dreadnought, and he remained likewise employed until July 1916. On 28 March 1915, Dreadnought claimed a famous German scalp, that of Otto Weddigen, who had overseen the destruction of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue off the Broad Fourteens in September 1914. That was in the U-9 but at the time of his loss to Dreadnought, Pour-Le-Merite-holder Weddigen was in command of the U-29. Sir Julian Corbett takes up the story in his Naval Operations:
‘By noon they were within fifty miles of the Firth, and a signal was made to Admiral Sturdee to the 4th Battle Squadron to the southward to proceed to Cromarty, passing under the stern of the other two squadrons. He was just doing so when, at 12:15, the Marlborough, flagship of the 1st and southernmost squadron, signalled there was a submarine ahead. A torpedo had just been seen to pass astern, and the enemy was clearly bent on another shot. But as Admiral Sturdee had just started to swing to starboard upon his new course he could not turn away, as laid down in standing orders. The Dreadnought was outermost ship to port, the submarine’s periscope was on her port bow, and increasing to full speed Captain W. J. S. Alderson made directly for it; the Temeraire, which was next in line, did the same. In vain the submarine doubled this way and that; the Dreadnought, handled as she was by Commander H. W. C. Hughes, the navigating officer, was too nimble for her, and after a breathless ten minutes the famous battleship crashed over her. For a minute her bows reared out of the water astern of the Dreadnought, there was just time to read the number ‘29’ and then she slowly settled by the stern and that was her end. Nothing but oil and a little wreckage came to the surface; every man went down with her, including Captain Weddigen, her commander, and thus was avenged the loss of the three ‘Cressy’s’ and the Hawke.’
Alderson received the approbation of Their Lordships and, following a spell in command of Scottish East Coast and Western Coast Guard Districts, he was appointed Captain of Devonport Dockyard. In April 1917, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent and King’s Harbour Master. Subsequently awarded the Legion of Honour (London Gazette 21 June 1918, refers) and appointed Naval A.D.C. to the King in January 1919, Alderson was advanced to Rear-Admiral in September 1919.
His final appointment was as Commanding Officer of the Reserve Fleet at the Nore in 1921-22, when he flew his flag in the battleship Erin, but he was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1925. He settled at Ovingham House, Cardigan, where he died in May 1946.
Sold with his original vellum warrant for his appointment to Officer of the French Legion of Honour, in the name of ‘Captain William John Standly Alderson, Grand Fleet’, and dated 28 August 1918, together with three portrait photographs and miniature medal ribbon bar.
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