SCARCE M.B.E. GROUP OF SIX TO CHIEF SKIPPER HOVELLS ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE

M.B.E(Military-hallmarks for 1919) 1914 /15 Star,named to: SA 1000 E. W. HOVELLS. 2ND. HND. R. N. R. British War and Victory Medals,named to:
SA 1000 E.W. HOVELLS CH.SKR R.N.R.Defence Medal,and Special Constabulary Medal (George VI -IND IMP) with clasp: LONG SERVICE 1948 named to: ERNEST W HOVELLS M.B.E.
Medals about good very fine average,mounted on pin, as worn.
Ernest William Hovells was born in Hopton, Suffolk in 1878.He joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 1915.He first served as an Engineman in GOLDEN GIFT,and took part in the salvage of S S ANCHORIA and received £85 in salvage money after the war.He was promoted to Skipper in December 1919,and in 1917 was posted to H.M.S. Queen,a depot ship for the drifter fleet.He was promoted to Temporary Chief Skipper in January 1917,and served for a while in the drifter Admirable,which was later sunk in the action of Otranto Straits in May 1917-papers state; "Queen from Admirable in charge net party"-It is not known if Hovells was aboard when she was sunk.He was promoted to Chief Skipper 17/07/1917-serving in Queen from 13-06-1917 to 14-04 1919 .
His M.B.E.was listed in the London Gazette 1/01/1919 -Queen- Italy In charge of Net Sec of Boats-Invaluable and Efficient.
Scarce only 13 M.B.E's awarded to Drifter Skippers for WW1.

Code: 51923