Five: China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (Pvte. W. Edney, R.M.L.I.); 1914-15 Star Trio (309996 W. H. R. Edney, Sto. 1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (302996 W. H. R. Edney, Sto. 1Cl., H.M.S. Agincourt) nearly very fine and rare (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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William Edney was born on 16 August 1879 in Fareham, Hampshire, and was employed as a labourer before enlisting in the Royal Marines at Gosport on 7 September 1897. Following Recruit Training at the Walmer Depot he joined the Portsmouth Division as a Private on 30 June 1898. He was posted to his first ship H.M.S. ORLANDO on 16 February 1899 and whilst serving in this ship on the China Station in 1900, he was landed as part of a small detachment of Royal Marines to defend the British Legation during the Siege of Pekin.

He disembarked from ORLANDO on 25 July 1902 and returned to the Portsmouth Division Depot before embarking in DUKE OF WELLINGTON (November 1902-March 1903), returning to the Portsmouth Division Depot in April 1903. He rejoined DUKE OF WELLINGTON until transferred to FIRE QUEEN in October 1903 and NELSON in April 1904. He served in the latter ship until April 1906 when he transferred to the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class. His Royal Navy service record has not yet been released for public scrutiny at the Public Record Office.