Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895 (W. H. Box, Segn. H.M.S. Widgeon.) light contact marks, very fine £400-£500

Only 25 medals issued with these two clasps, all to H.M.S. Widgeon.

William Hoskin Box was born in Launceston, Cornwall, on 9 July 1874 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 11 December 1889. He served in H.M.S. Widgeon from 15 September 1893 to 11 July 1895, initially as a Signalman, and was re-rated Ordinary Seaman in January 1895, being promoted Able Seaman on 6 February 1895. He was shore discharged, time expired, on 9 July 1904, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Recalled for War service on 2 August 1914, he served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, and was shore demobilised on 5 February 1919.