Grouping about a serving officer on the H.M.S Hampshire Lord Kitchener 1916
[KITCHENER, Lord Herbert, 1st Earl Kitchener] GREY, Eric Verner, Lieutenant, Royal Navy. A small group of related correspondence, photographs, and official telegram, relating to Lieutenant Grey's service and death in the loss of H.M.S. Hampshire.
H.M.S Newcastle and H.M.S Hampshire, 5th August 1914 - 3 June 1916.
A group of 5 autograph letters signed, various dates (from 1 August 1914 to 3 June 1916), written in ink on naval stationery (most with crowned “HMS Hampshire” device), together with an official Post Office telegram announcing the loss of the vessel and two portrait photographs of Grey in uniform by J Russell and Sons; the whole housed loose, the telegram glazed and framed; usual folds, light handling wear, overall well preserved, a very good grouping.
The loss of H.M.S. Hampshire on 5 June 1916 was one of the most widely reported maritime disasters of the First World War, in which Herbert Kitchener was among those killed. The group centres on Lieutenant E. V. Grey, Royal Navy, and comprises letters written to his sister (“Cis”) during his service, including material from the outbreak of war through to the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Jutland.
The final letter, dated 3 June 1916, is of particular significance. Written immediately following the Battle of Jutland (31 May–1 June 1916), it records a brief but direct contemporary reaction: “we came out of it jolly well… the ancient cruisers were rather strafed as you will see in the papers”, before closing with the remark that he is “absolutely dog tired”. This letter was written just two days after the battle and two days before his death.
The official Admiralty telegram, sent to his sister, reported that H.M.S. Hampshire had been sunk with all on board. The vessel was lost off Orkney on 5 June 1916, shortly after departing on a mission carrying Lord Kitchener to Russia.
There is a note written recently from a family member of Lieutenant Grey and his sister. It reads "letters from Great Granny's brother to her from HMS Hampshire, he served with Lord Kitchener on it and enclosed is the telegram to say all had been sunk including Lord Kitchener and Granny's brother."
A rare grouping relating Lieutenant Grey who was at the Battle of Jutland and sadly the subsequent sinking of H.M.S. Hampshire, with the uncommon official telegram confirming his loss.