Original WW1 Royal Navy H.M.S. VINDICTIVE. Cap Tally

Original First World War Royal Navy cap tally for the famous cruiser H.M.S. VINDICTIVE.

This is a rare original tally bearing the full ship name “H.M.S. VINDICTIVE.” The small lettering and distinctive full stops are characteristic of First World War period Royal Navy tallies.

H.M.S. Vindictive was an old protected cruiser which became famous for her role in the Zeebrugge Raid of 23 April 1918. She went alongside the German-held mole and landed Royal Marines and seamen under heavy fire. The ship was badly damaged during the action but returned to Britain. Less than three weeks later, she was used as a blockship during the Second Ostend Raid and was sunk in the harbour entrance on 10 May 1918.

The bow of the Vindictive is still preserved as a war memorial in Ostend, Belgium.

A particularly interesting and scarce piece of Royal Navy WWI history, with a strong connection to Belgium and the famous Zeebrugge and Ostend raids.