Battle of Jutland: the shell fragment that killed Lieutenant Commander Arthur Gerald Onslow C.S.C.

Battle of Jutland: the shell fragment that killed Lieutenant Commander Arthur Gerald Onslow C.S.C., Royal Navy, during the night action at Jutland, 31st May/1st June 1916, while he was in command of the destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught. A four inch piece of jagged steel, weighing 18 oz, set on an oak display mounting incorporating a frame displaying a letter from Captain R.G. Arnot, who served as a midshipman under Onlow at Jutland and tended him as he lay dying, presentation plaque to the base engraved 'PRESENTED BY CAPTAIN R.G. ARNOT R.N. (RETD) / LARGS 23-7-48'; together with a round brass box, the finial formed by a part of a naval shell fuse and the base set with a white metal Battle of Jutland commemorative medal (E 951a); and a piece copper with apparent shrapnel damage stamped 'H.M.S. COSSACK' [3]

A.G. Onslow commanded the Onslaught at the Battle of Jutland, with a claim to having torpedoed S.M.S. Pommern (the only battleship on either side to be sunk during the battle) and participated in the fierce action of the following night; he had earlier been, as a Midshipman, one of only eight recipients of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross - the forerunner to the Distinguished Service Cross and one of the rarest of all decorations. He won this in 1904 fighting on land on the Somali Pirate Coast (he stormed a nest of snipers in a dramatic close-quarters action).

Provenance: Arnot present at Jutland, recovers fragment from Onslow, later presents it to C.O. of the successor vessel to the name Onslaught, later lodged in R.N. store in Portsmouth and then disposed of at auction to the current owner.