SOUTH AFRICA, South African Naval College, Simon’s Town, King’s Medal for the Training Ship General Botha [1922], a gilt specimen medal by B. Mackennal, bust of George V in naval uniform left, rev. arms set against a background of flora, 45mm. Brilliant mint state, very rare £150-£200

The training ship General Botha, a Mersey-class cruiser launched in 1885 and originally named HMS Thames, was donated to the South African government in 1920 by Thomas Davis, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. It was renamed and moored outside the naval dockyard in Simonstown and the first intake of 75 boys joined in March 1922. The vessel remained in situ until 1942, when the fear of it becoming a target for German submarines resulted in it being commandeered by the navy. The ship was scuttled and sunk in May 1947