Description
Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal, GV, 278125 Frank Rumbold, Chief Stoker HMS Birmingham, entitled to the Russian Medal of Zeal awarded in 1909 during the Royal Visit.
Frank served 25 years in the Royal Navy from 1894-1919, during that time rose up the ranks to Chief Stoker, earned a Silver Russian Medal, the Naval LS&GC, this Meritorious Service Medal, racking up various battle honours, including the very first sinking of an enemy Submarine U-Boat during the war, when ramming and splitting in two the U-15 right as she was about to dive in 1914, as well as serving at the Battles of Heligoland Bight, Battle of Dogger Bank and Battle of Jutland.
Officially impressed: 278125 F. Rumbold, Ch. Sto. “Birmingham” Services During War.
Award of this MSM, announced on 21st June 1919.
Service Papers note: “Awarded Russian Silver Medal of St Stanislas for Czar’s Visit August 1909”
This unusual variety of the Meritorious Service Medal for members of the Royal Navy, featuring King George V in his Admiral’s Uniform was only awarded for a short time, being instituted in 1919, in order to be awarded for services in the recent First World War.
It was only awarded from 1919 until 1928, being replaced by the award of the British Empire Medal.
Frank was born in the village of Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire on 7th December 1874. Baptised as “Francis John Rumbold” he mostly went by Frank during his life.
Having worked as a Shepherd, he signed on with the Royal Navy as Stoker 2nd Class on 19th October 1894.
Stoker 2nd Class, 19th October 1894, HMS Victory II
Stoker, 26th March 1896, HMS Royal Oak
Leading Stoker 2nd Class, 10th September 1905, HMS Bacchante
Stoker Petty Officer 2nd Class, 1st July 1906, HMS Duncan
Stoker Petty Officer, 1st November 1907.
Acting Chief Stoker, 20th Jan 1914, HMS Victory
Chief Stoker, HMS Birmingham, 25th November 1914.
Demobilised to Pension 7th March 1919.
During a long career which spanned about 25 years, he saw service on many ships and thanks to his flawless conduct record, received the Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal awarded on 2nd November 1909 whilst Stoker Petty Officer on HMS Invincible.
During his career he was Stoker Petty Officer of HMS Invincible from 19th March 1909 until 27th March 1911, from the first day that the ship was commissioned.
The Czar of Imperial Russia Nicholas II came on a Royal Visit to the country attending the annual Cowes Regatta, during that time Frank was awarded the “Russian Silver Medal of St Stanislas” aka the Medal of Zeal.
Nicholas II hosted King Edward VII and members of the British Royal Family on the Russian Imperial Yacht Standart as well as them being entertained on the British HMY Victoria and Albert III.
You can see a Photograph of the dinner as part of the Royal Collection Trust below:
https://www.rct.uk/collection/2930353/a-dinner-held-on-the-russian-imperial-yacht-standart-during-the-cowes-regatta
Further detail on the visit that led to the award of his medal can be read below from a translated entry from Alexander Spiridovich:
https://www.alexanderpalace.org/palace/cowes1909.php
On 30th January 1914, the new Lead Ship of the Birmingham Group of Town-Class Light Cruisers was completed and then commissioned on 3rd February 1914 Frank joined her crew as an Acting Chief Stoker.
He became Chief Stoker of the ship during the start of the war on 25th November 1914.
Frank saw all of the war on board the ship, serving on the ship from 25th November 1914 until 20th November 1916, and then after a short break at HMS Pembroke II from Nov 1916 to Feb 1917, rejoined her from 19th February 1917 until 7t March 1919.
During the war, he was on the ship on 9th August 1914, when Birmingham spotted the German Sub U-15, whose engines had failed as she lay stopped on the sruface in heavy fog off Fair Isle. The crew of the Birmingham could hear hammering form inside the boat from attempted repairs, and so fired on her but missed.
Right as the U-Boat began to dive underwater, the Birmingham rammed her, cutting the sub in two.
U-15 would go down with all hands, being the first U-Boat Loss to an enemy warship of the war.
The Birmingham would also sink 2 German Merchant Ships during 1914.
As well as this, Frank would also take part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th August 1914 and then the Battle of Dogger Bank in January 1915.
In February 1915, she joined the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, attacking another U-Boat on 18th June 1915 without sucess.
Frank would see further action in the famous Battle of Jutland on 31st May – 1st June 1915, where the ship could be seen billowing smoke havign sustained damage from splintering during the night of the battle.
A photograph of the ship at the battle can be seen here:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193532
Frank lived to enjoy a long retirement, and died in Portsmouth, Hampshire during 1953.
