United Kingdom. A Battle of Jutland Group to Able Seaman Thomas Kingham

A First World War group to Battle of Jutland participant and Able Seaman Thomas Kingham; 1914-15 Star (198250, T. KINGHAM, A.B., R.N.); British War Medal (198250 T. KINGHAM. A.B. R.N.); Victory Medal (198250 T. KINGHAM. A.B. R.N.); Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (198250 THOMAS KINGHAM, A.B. H.M.S. DIDO); Russian Medal for Bravery, IV Class (NO. 1272531); all naming officially impressed, the Victory Medal and Russian Medal for Bravery retaining original ribbons, the remaining with polyester replacement ribbons, demonstrating some minor nicks and bruising with age-appropriate patina, in overall near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Thomas Kingham was born on 13 June 1880 in Oxford, and was baptised on 29 August at St. Clement’s Church. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 13 June 1898 and entered service as a Boy 2nd Class, before rising to Boy 1st Class, Ordinary Seaman, and Able Seaman, with a variety of assignments to numerous vessels. He married Dorothy Luckett on 17 April 1911 at St. Clement's Church. Continuing in naval service through the First World War, Kingham saw action against the Imperial German Navy in the North Sea, most notably while serving on board the Acasta-class destroyer H.M.S. Ambuscade during the Battle of Jutland. Deployed on 31 May 1916 on the unengaged port side of the German fleet as one of 19 ships of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Ambuscade engaged in close quarters fighting with German battleships and cruisers. Combat included not only shells and torpedoes, but deliberate ramming. The German light cruiser Rostock was hit by a torpedo fired by either Ambuscade or Contest, and was subsequently scuttled. The 4th Flotilla ultimately lost four ships during the Battle of Jutland, but Ambuscade survived and later left the Grand Fleet to provide security along the British coast. Kingham’s presence is confirmed on the Battle of Jutland Crew List.