Watch List notes:

The Great War Trio awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Ralph Michael Mack, Royal Navy, who was killed in action whilst in command of H.M.S. Tornado, when his ship was struck by a mine on 23 December 1917 off the Dutch coast, comprising: 1914-15 Star, with rosette (Lt. Commr. R. M. Mack, R. N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. R. M. Mack. R. N.); Group loose, each medal with brooch pin to reverse with original ribbons, minor correction to first initial on BWM, about extremely fine (3). Lieutenant-Commander Ralph Michael Mack (1883-1917) trained as a Naval Cadet at Britannia Naval College, passing out successfully on 15 May 1900. He served as a Midshipman aboard H.M.S. Theseus before being promoted to Lieutenant on 31 December 1905, upon which he spent a year and a half aboard the Albion on the China Station. After further time aboard other vessels, he was given command of H.M.S. Swale in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla on 20 May 1912. After an unhappy time aboard Swale, he was placed in command of the Destroyer Stour in February 1913, being promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December 1913, and later taking command of the newly built destroyer Lucifer. After 2 years' service aboard Lucifer he was placed in command of the Destroyer H.M.S. Phoebe, for which he was later mentioned in despatches for having 'served continuously throughout the war and distinguished himself on many occasions with the Harwich Force'. In November 1917 he took command of another Destroyer, H.M.S. Tornado which later ran into a German minefield near Maas whilst en route to Holland with several other British ships (Surprise, Torrent and Radiant) on 23 December 1917. Attempting to provide assistance to the Torrent, which had struck mines, the Tornado also was struck – this time by two mines – sinking quickly off the Dutch coast. Seventy-five men perished, including Lieutenant-Commander Mack, with only two men rescued. A similar fate also befell the Surprise, causing total casualties of 12 officers and 240 other ranks killed by mines on this occasion.