A First War British Naval Group; Sinking of SM UB-54 1918

A First War British Naval Group; Sinking of SM UB-54 1918 - 1914-15 Star (GNR. J.R.E. HITON. R.N.); British War Medal (MTE. J.R.E. HITON. R.N.); and Victory Medal (MTE. J.R.E. HITON. R.N.). Naming is officially impressed. Court-mounted, light contact, extremely fine. Accompanied by a duotang folder with his military biography and five black and white ship photographs.

Footnote: Joseph Ramsay Elveria Hiton achieved the rank of Gunner (Torpedo) and Warrant Officer on June 23, 1915. He began his war service as a Gunner (Torpedo) aboard the "L" Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer H.M.S. Lysander, which was equipped with three 4" guns, one 12 pounder and four 21" Torpedo Tubes, on January 5, 1916, and attached to the Harwich Force, from January 1916 to February 1917. His Harwich Force service continued as of February 21st with the Thorneycroft "R" Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer H.M.S. Retriever, also equipped with three 4" guns, one 12 pounder and four 21" Torpedo Tubes.

He remained in the rank of Gunner (Torpedo) until December 11, 1917, when he was re-designated a Mate and later, Sub Lieutenant, and would serve with H.M.S. Retriever until May 1918. Hiton was a member of the crew of H.M.S. Retriever, who joined with two other British Destroyers, H.M.S. Sturgeon and H.M.S. Thruster, in the sinking of the SM UB-54 in the North Sea on March 11, 1918. The SM UB-54 was a German Type UB III U-boat (submarine) in the German Imperial Navy, which was commissioned into the Flanders Flotilla based in Zeebrugge on June 12, 1917. It was sunk by the three Destroyers with the use of depth charges at 53 degrees, 15 minutes 0 degrees 45 minutes E, with all German hands lost. He finished his war service as a Mate aboard the "E" River Class Torpedo Boat Destroyer H.M.S. Ribble, which was equipped with four 12-pounder guns and two 18" Torpedo Tubes, serving in the Mediterranean, from May 1918 to the conclusion of the conflict. After the war, he was posted to the Rescue Tug H.M.S. St. Genny, Tender to the Port Depot Ship H.M.S. Crescent at Rosyth, Scotland, as of October 15, 1919, where he was re-appointed Lieutenant and placed second-in-command on March 11, 1920. Hilton retired in 1922 and was named Lieutenant Commander (Retired) on March 11, 1928. He passed away in July 1939.