HMS Jupiter.   Royal Naval battleship of the Majestic Class.  HMS Jupiter joined the Commissioned Reserve at Portsmouth in August 1905 and became part of the Home Fleet in 1908.  In 1909 - 1910 she was refitted with fire control and became gunnery TS at the Nore.  She became part of the 3rd Fleet at Pembroke and Devonport in January 1913.  At the outbreak of World War One she joined the 7th Battle Squadron as guard ship for the Humber.  In 1915 HMS Jupiter was sent to Archangel as an ice breaker, and became the first ship to arrive there so early in the year in February.  Returning to the Channel Fleet in 1915, she then served in the East Indies and Egypt before becoming an accommodation ship in 1918.

HMS Jupiter, 1897.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP190

HMS Jupiter in the thick of winter 1915

HMS Jupiter Pictured Circa 1907

HMS Jupiter c.1906.

HS Jupiter leading formation, 1908.

HMS Jupiter c. 1906

HMS Jupiter.

HMS Jupiter on voyage to Russia, 1915.

Augustus Louis Gilhen of HMS Jupiter.

Crew of HMS Jupiter between August 1914 and May 1915.  John Edward Curtis (top right)

Naval Historians, Descendents of Crew Noticeboard

MESSAGES

WILLIAM BRANKIN..  My father was a Royal Marine aboard the Jupiter when it was sent to russia in 1915.  The sea was frozen and the icebreaker was broken down and not in service.  A cargo ship named SS Thracea with a cargo of munitions and supplies got caught in the ice off Archangel and the Jupiter was dispatched to take it in tow and get it to port.  I think the date was 15th January 1915.  With great difficulty and hardship the Jupiter got a towline on the Thracea and got underway for Archangel.  The tow rope parted under the strain and volunteers were requested to man the longboat and retrieve the ends of the towrope and splice it together.  My father Private William Brankin of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Plymouth Division was one of the 16 men to man the longboat and do the job.  The result was, the Thracea was saved and towed to Archangel, my father and the other 15 men who manned the longboat were awarded a special silver medal for zeal and bravery personally on 4th August 1916 by the Tsar of Russia.  My father was also presented to King George V and congratulated.  My sister who is still alive has the medal in her possession.  I am 78 years of age and am also called Willam Brankin after my father.  If any of this is of interest I can supply all the details as it is a true adventure story indeed.  My father was a gun layer on several battleships during his 22 year service including the Rodney, Cambrian, Vivid.  He was also among the first men to land on the beach at Gallipoli.  Incidentally my father was an Irishman.  Contact here 

ROBERT HINDSON.. (Ord Signalman RNVR).  My father served on HMS Jupiter in 1915 and sent to Archangel, the vessel being used as an ice breaker.  For his services he was awarded a Russian medal which is round and silver in colour with Nicholas II head on the front.  On the back it has a kind of leaf/branch with Russian writing similar to (3^ VGEPAIC).  Also his name and rank is written around the edge of the medal.  The attached ribbon consists of two thin red lines, and one centre broad red band, on a creeam background.  Can anyone tell me why the medal was awarded etc.   Contact here. 

JAMES RENDELL..  I am trying to research my great grandfather James Rendell.  I have received his medals for time spent in the service. There is a set from his time spent on the Jupiter. The writing on these appears to Russian. I believe Jupiter spent time there. Another two medals are bronze with crossed swords and a  laurel and crown on the top. When he received these medals he was PLY3379 CPL J. Rendell R.M.L.I. I have still to find what ship and where he was serving at the time when he received them. I have enclosed a photo that was in the box, that, I assume is James. The name on the front, I believe is the photographer as it also appears on the back. It was taken in Valletta --Malta, would this have been a stop for the R.M.L.I in the early 1890's. As James is not on the 1891 census, this may coincide with time in Malta . Any information or help you can give me would be appreciated.

During my family research I found that my great Uncle Felix Hicks served aboard HMS Jupiter.  All I know is that at the time of the census in 1901 it was reputed to have been tied up in Gibraltar.    Julain hicks