Long Service Medals & Miscellaneous

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Navy GVI 1st type

KX.75367 F J Merrall SPO HMS Liverpool

With copy service records.

Frank John Merrall was born in Ramsgate, Kent 31st May 1907 a Porter, he entered the Royal Navy at Pembroke II as Stoker 2nd Class 18th December 1925. Rated Stoker 1st Class aboard HMS Benbow 1st December 1926, he continued to serve ashore and afloat being advanced to Acting Leading Stoker 26th October 1936 and to Acting Stoker Petty Officer 27th October 1936 at Pembroke II. Confirmed in the rate of Stoker Petty Officer aboard HMS Cairo 27th October 1937, he subsequently joined Pembroke II 26th November 1937, HMS Liverpool 2nd November 1938, HMS Resolution 20th July 1941, Pembroke II 13th October 1941, Calpe 29th November 1941, Pembroke 19th February 1942, HMS Fencer 10th August 1942, HMS Tracker 1st October 1942, Pembroke 10th November 1945. Advanced to Chief Stoker 1st May 1946 whilst serving at Eskimo (Q Pier), he was rated Chief Stoker Mechanic 2nd May 1947, he was released 5th March 1948. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded 5th March 1941, he died in Scotland in 1975.

The Mediterranean Fleet including HMS Liverpool followed MA.3 with Operation MA.5 in early July 1940. During the course of the deployment, Admiral Cunningham received reports of a large formation of Italian warships and changed course towards Taranto to intercept.  On 9 July, the fleets encountered each other off Calabria, in the first major battle between the Allied and Italian navies in the Mediterranean theatre. Liverpool and fellow cruiser Neptune commenced firing at 15:22, eight minutes after Italian cruisers started their barrage at a range of 23,600 yards (13.4 mi). After a continuous exchange of fire, the battleship Warspite struck the Italian Battleship Giulio Cesare at 16:00, inducing the Italian Fleet to disengage from the battle. Italian aircraft attacked Liverpool with bombs on 12th July while she was returning to Alexandria, Egypt, causing fatalities and wounding three, including the cruiser’s commander.  Later in July, Liverpool escorted convoy AN.2 from Egypt on its way to Greek ports in the Aegean and the southward-convoy AS.2 from the Aegean. The latter convoy came under substantial attack by Italian aircraft on the 29th; Liverpool was the only vessel hit when an unexploded bomb penetrated two decks, killing a rating. The casualty was Stoker First Class Patrick Leslie Harney, aged 32, from Stalybridge, Cheshire.

GVF £110 Available includes postage UK address

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Navy GVI 1st type

RMB.X.88 S McLearie MUS HMS Ceylon

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded 12th April 1944 TNA ADM171/152 page 286 refers.

Samuel McLearie was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire 2nd July 1910 and died in Scarborough, 30th June 1988.

Unusual to see the ship on a Royal Marines Band Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

The Fiji Class Light Cruiser HMS Ceylon was built by Stephens at Govan and launched on 30 July 1942, she was completed on 13 July 1943. After two months in the Home Fleet she was transferred to the 4th Cruiser Squadron, with the Eastern Fleet and took part in many carrier raids, bombardments and patrols against Japanese-held territory, including Operations Cockpit, Meridian and Diplomat. In November 1944 she joined the British Pacific Fleet and sailed from Trincomalee on 16th January, taking part in a raid on Pankalan Bradan en route. By May 1945, however, she was back in the Indian Ocean, shelling the Nicobar Islands, and remained in that theatre until the end of the war. In October 1945 she returned to England for refit and lay-up.

GVF £135 Available includes postage UK address

Coronation Medal King Edward VII Mayors and Provosts type

Unnamed as issued

Mounted as originally worn.

In Elkington & Co fitted presentation case, hinge and catch all good.

The 1902 Mayors and Provosts Medal was a special award given to civic leaders to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII. It was presented to Lord mayors, provincial mayors, and Scottish Lord provosts who attended or participated in the official celebrations. 

Virtually as issued

EF £250 Available includes postage UK address

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Navy Victoria

Henry Harrington ERA HMS Orlando

With copy service record.

Henry Harrington was born in Gibraltar 17th October 1859, although his service records does not record his occupation on enlistment, he must have been an apprenticeship served Engineer as he entered the Royal Navy (Number 115225) 28th December 1880 as an Acting Engine Room Artificer at Indus. Henry subsequently joined HMS Valiant 27th January 1881, Indus 28th September 1882, HMS Briton 20th October 1882, HMS Boadicea 13th April 1883, HMS Orlando 24th May 1888, Vivid I 5th November 1891, HMS Bellerophon 30th April 1892, HMS Rupert 5th July 1893, Vivid II 10th August 1893 where he was advanced to Chief Engine Room Artificer 19th August 1893. Joining HMS Bonaventure 5th July 1894, Vivid II 1st December 1895, HMS Dreadnought 20th January 1896, HMS Collingwood 9th March 1897, Vivid II 6th November 1897, HMS Cockatrice 1st December 1897, Vivid II 18th September 1899, HMS Howe 30th January 1900, Vivid II 1st December 1900 from where he was discharged shore to pension 5th January 1901. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal awarded 4th August 1891, this his only Medal entitlement. The 1911 census records Henry is 51 years old, a Chargeman of Engine Fitters at HM Dockyard, Devonport residing with his wife Ann Elizabeth, son Ernest Rupert (24) a Draughtsman at HM Dockyard, Devonport at 33 Alcester Street, Devonport. The 1921 census records Harry is a 61 year old Naval pensioner residing with his wife at 31 Caledonia Place, Bristol, he died in Lewisham, Kent on 14th June 1936.

One small edge nick otherwise toned.

GVF & better £150 Available includes postage UK address