*TORPEDOED* NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL PERSIAN GULF 306371 TATE WW1 ROYAL NAVY

Offered is a Naval general Service Medal (1915) with clasp PERSIAN GULF 1909 – 1914, impressed named 306371. F.F. TATE, ACT. LG STO. H.M.S. PERSEUS. Comes with copies service papers, medal rolls, silver war badge list and 1939 census.

Frank Forfice Tate was born 25/11/1885 at South Shields, Durham. He signed on as a Stoker for 12 years with the Royal Navy 7/4/1904. He served on several ships prior to the war including H.M.S. Ramillies., H.M.S. London., H.M.S. Perseus 19/12/11 – 19/9/1913 and was awarded the Naval General Service Medal with clasp Persian Gulf 1909 – 1914. During WW1, Tate served on H.M.S. Penelope 10/12/1914 – 20/6/1916 (Arethusa-class light cruiser). While with the 5th LCS (Light Cruiser Squadron), Penelope took part in the March 1916 raid on the German base at Hoyer (Sylt). On 25/4/1916 she was one of the ships sent to sea to track down the German ships that had attacked Lowestoft. She was hit by a torpedo from UB 29, which destroyed her rudder and steering gear, but she was still able to maintain 20 knots, and reached home in safety.

H.M.S. Chatham 18/?/1916 – 30/6/1918 (Town-class light cruiser), she was damaged by a mine 26/5/1916 so missed Jutland. She was present on the fleet sortie of 19 August 1916 that saw both the High Seas Fleet and the Grand Fleet at sea, but failed to produce a battle. During that sortie the Chatham was close to the Falmouth when she was hit by torpedoes from a U-boat. He served 3 days in the cells whilst on the Chatham. 28/8/1918 invalided due to bone arthritis and in 1939 living in South Shields working as a plaster.

Stoker Tate is also entitled to the 1914 - 15 Star, British War and Victory Medals as well as the silver war badge.