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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Natal (C. R. Phippen, Pte. R.M.L.I., H.M.S. Thetis)

Charles Robert Phippen was born in Stonehouse, Devon, on 6 January 1875 and enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry in London as a Bugler on 7 January 1889. He served in HMS Thetis from 15 April 1899 to 8 June 1901, seeing active service in South Africa during the Boer War.

He was discharged, invalided out, on 10 May 1904.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (1) Natal (G. F. Drewett, Pte. R.M.L.I., H.M.S. Thetis);
[ Great War medals ]

Spink note one of 101 Natal clasps issued to the Naval Brigade of H.M.S. Thetis.

George Frederick Drewett was born at Maidstone, Kent on 5 October 1877 and enlisted at London on 17 September 1895. Joining the Portsmouth Division he was posted to Thetis on 3 August 1898 and was still serving with her on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.

His service papers note that he 'Landed for defence of Durban' on 15 November 1899.

The main defence of the town was undertaken by the men of HMS Terrible however detachments from Thetis and Tartar helped to man the defences. As the British overwhelmed the Boer defences at the Tugela and advanced into their territory the threat to the city lessened and the men were released from their duties.

Drewett was discharged on 26 June 1901 however he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve and was mobilised for duty on the outbreak of the Great War. Posted to the cruiser Hawke he remained with her until 15 October 1914 when she was cruising off Aberdeen with the rest of 10th Cruiser Squadron.

Unfortunately for Hawke she was being stalked by U-9, the same U-boat responsible for the Action of 22 September, which managed to torpedo her directly with a single shot. The shot proved fatal and the cruiser capsized quickly, sinking fast.

Due to the poor weather and wide spacing amongst the squadron the rest of 10th Cruiser Squadron did not realise what had occurred until U-9 made another attempt, this time upon Theseus. As a result just 71 men were found from the ship's crew with a total of 524 officers and men, including Drewett, dying in the tragedy.