Description
A British War Medal awarded to Steward Joseph Sharp, Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sir Francis, who was killed in action on the 7th of June 1917 when the S.S. Sir Francis was torpedoed comprising 1914-1920 British War Medal, (Joseph Sharp), very fine.
Joseph Sharp was born in 1895 in South Sheilds he was the Steward. The Sir Francis was proceeding on a course following the War buoys for the Tyne to collect a cargo of coal and making 10 knots, an explosion occurred under No 3 hold on the starboard side at 4.40 a.m., throwing up the hatches and other wreckage.
The vessel began to settle fast by the stern.
Before the ship’s lifeboats could be lowered a second torpedo stuck under the bridge on the starboard side and she sank about half a minute afterwards.
Twelve of the crew were picked up by passing ships S.S. Dryade and S.S Vernon, and were later landed at South Shields.
The master and the rest of the crew were not found and presumed drown. Read more at wreck site: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?65707
Joseph Sharp is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London he was 22 years old
Sold with copy Genealogical information and Mercantile Marine Medal Card and Commonwealth War Graves information.
