Description
Naval General Service Medal, GV, bar Persian Gulf 1909-1914, Stoker Henry Chase, HMS Philomel.
Officially impressed: “S.S. 107896. H. Chase. Sto. H.M.S. Philomel.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, issued posthumously to his father George Henry Chase on 4th March 1916. As such unworn condition.
With copy service papers.
Henry Chase was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 28th October 1890.
Having worked as a Greengrocer he signed on as a Stoker 2nd Class at HMS Nelson on 19th January 1909.
Within only a few months he joined HMS Philomel, serving on board from 27th July 1909 until 14th November 1911.
During this period he rose to Stoker 1st Class on 6th December 1909, and earned this medal for service in the “Persian Gulf”.
He looks to have seen some submarine service for the rest of his 5 years.
Seeing service on HMS Bonaventure from 31st Dec 1911 until 14th October 1912.
Followed by HMS Maidstone from 15th October 1912 until 14th January 1914.
During this period HMS Bonaventure was a Submarine Depot Ship, as well as HMS Maidstone, which had just been commissioned at Portsmouth that same day (15th Oct 1912) as the Principal Depot Ship of the Officer Commanding the newly established 8th Submarine Flotilla, the offensive Submarine Force based in UK Waters.
Having finished out his 5 years contract he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth on 17th January 1914, but this was short lived as he was remobilised for active service on outbreak of the war, on 2nd August 1914.
He joined the Royal Naval Division, Drake Battalion, and served with them from 17th September 1914 until 9th August 1915.
He was deployed with the RND Expeditionary Force from 1st March 1915.
Whilst stationed at Lemnos, in Mudros, the RND were preparing to join the fighting at Gallipoli, but he fell dangerously ill on 29th July 1915 and died soon after on 9th August 1915.
The Greek Island of Lemnos housed the RND Division out of Mudros Harbour preparing to assist in the Dardanelles operations.
He was buried in East Mudros Cemetery Grave No 49 by Reverend J.H. Doorbar on 9th August 1915.
