Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: William Oakes, State Coachman

Victoria Faithful Service Medal, V.R. (To Mr. William Oakes, Coachman, for Faithful Services to the Queen during 39 Years Service, 1899); Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, bronze; Coronation 1902, bronze, new ribands but otherwise mounted court-style as worn, with Hunt & Roskell label on reverse, contact marks, good very fine (3) £600-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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William Oakes was born in Pimlico, London in 1848 and entered service in the Royal Household in October 1859, aged 12 years. A Third Class Helper (Postilion) by 1880, he was appointed an Acting Coachman in 1886 and Second Class Helper (Coachman) in January of the following year. Having then been advanced to First Class Coachman in October 1893, he served as the driver of the fourth carriage in the procession to St. Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign. Awarded the Jubilee Medal 1887, with 1897 clasp, and his Victoria Faithful Service Medal in 1899 (No. 131 on the published roll), Oakes appears to have retired shortly after the Coronation 1902 celebrations. He died at his residence, 91 New King’s Road, Fulham, London in January 1922, aged 74 years; sold with related research.