Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Colour Sergeant J. Sturgess, Royal Marine Artillery

British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A. 8590 Sgt.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.S., G.V.R., 1st issue (R.M.A. 8590 Ply. A. 1581 Cr. Sht., R.F.R.); Italy, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed; Royal Marine Artillery Medal, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘Trained Soldiers’, unnamed, hallmarks for Birmingham 1918, mounted court style as worn, very fine (5)
£200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of British Groups with Foreign Awards.

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James Sturgess was born in Witchbury, Fordingbridge, Hampshire on 7 June 1881. A Footman by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Marines Artillery at London on 29 December 1899. In October 1900 he was ranked as a Gunner, becoming a Gun Layer 3rd Class in March 1910, 2nd Class in May 1910 and 1st Class in December 1913. At the time of the Messina Earthquake during 1908 he was serving aboard the Exmouth and is confirmed as having been awarded the medal. Throughout the Great War he served on the dreadnought battleship Orion, being promoted to Bombardier in August 1915, Corporal in November 1916, and Sergeant in September 1918. On the ship he served at the battle of Jutland. Promoted to Colour Sergeant in October 1920.

With copied service paper and roll extracts.