Description
Africa General Service Medal, bar Somaliland 1902-04, Chief Petty Officer John James Wilson, HMS Highflyer, Killed in Action when HMS Goliath was sunk by Turkish Destroyer Muavenet-i Milliye at Gallipoli.
Officially impressed: “J. J. WILSON., P.O. 1.CL., H.M.S. HIGHFLYER.” Some contact marking through wearing prior to his death.
His 1914-15 Star Trio was sent to his Widow after the war.
131338 John James Wilson, Chief Petty Officer of HMS Goliath since the beginning of the war, took part in the blockade of the SMS Konigsberg in the Rufiji River during late 1914. They then left to take part in the gallant Raid on Dar-es-Salaam, where Goliath’s Executive Officer, Henry Ritchie earned the Victoria Cross.
With the beginning of the Gallipoli Campaign the Goliath arrived in the Aegean Sea to join the First Squadron of 7 other Battleships and 4 Cruisers. They supported the famous Landing at Cape Helles on 25th April 1915. Taking up a position off Y Beach, to provide gunfire support.
By Mid-May 1915, the Allied Fleet had developed a rotation of two battleships on station off Gallipoli every night to support the dug in on the peninsula. On the night of 12-13th May, Goliath was on station with the Battleship Cornwallis.
The Ottoman destroyer Muâvenet-i Millîye sortied late on 12 May under cover of a moonless night. By steaming very slowly, the Ottomans were able to slip past the destroyer patrols at about 01:00 on 13 May. Fifteen minutes later, lookouts aboard Goliath spotted Muâvenet-i Millîye and issued a challenge; the Ottomans replied to the challenge but very quickly increased speed and launched three torpedoes at Goliath. The British opened fire, but only managed to shoot three rounds before the first torpedo struck the ship. Two torpedoes hit almost simultaneously, the first abreast her fore turret and the second abeam the fore funnel, causing a large explosion. Goliath began to capsize almost immediately, and was lying on her side when a third torpedo struck near her after turret. Muâvenet-i Millîye sped off and escaped unscathed in the darkness as the other British warships gathered to rescue survivors from Goliath. Some 570 men, out of a crew of 750 were killed in the sinking, including the ship's commander, Captain Thomas Shelford. Another unfortunate recent arrival back on the ship before leaving for Gallipoli was Henry Ritchie V.C., who had just recovered from his wounds from the raid on Dar-es-Salaam and had just been handed his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace by George V in April 1915.
Chief Petty Officer Wilson, was 30 years past first joining the Royal Navy back in 1885, having rejoined from the R.F.R. he was in his 25th year of Royal Navy service.
John James Wilson, was born on 31st October 1869 by the seaside in Stoke Damerel, Devon.
Naturally he joined the Royal Navy having been a Baker, aged only 15 on 23rd March 1885, on board HMS Impregnable.
He began was a Boy 2nd Class, becoming Boy 1st Classs on 10th February 1886.
With some underage service on the Bellerophon and HMS Bullfrog, he became Ordinary Seaman on the Bullfrog on 18th July 1887 upon turning 18.
Promoted A.B. on 9th August 1888 on the Bullfrog.
Leading Seaman on HMS Empress of India, 23rd February 1894
Petty Officer 2nd Class on HMS Hebe, April 1895.
Followed by a quick further promotion to Petty Officer 1st Class on 24th November 1895 whilst also on HMS Hebe.
Served on HMS Highfler for almost 4 years from 7th December 1899 until 24th November 1903 as Petty Officer 1st Class when he earned this medal for service in the Somaliland campaign of 1902-04.
Retired to the Royal Fleet Reserve at Devonport on 5th December 1909.
Re-mobilised for service in early August 1914 joining HMS Goliath.
Officially discharged as dead on 13th may 1915, being amongst those lost when HMS Goliath was sunk by the Turkish Destroyer Muavenet.
