Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce Baltic 1919 M.S.M. group of five awarded to Blacksmith W. C. J. Coleman, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (346033 Blk., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (346033 Blk.1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (346033 Blksth., H.M.S. Curlew); Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (346033 Blksmth., “Delhi” Baltic 1919) mounted for wear, contact marks, nearly very fine (5) £450-550

M.S.M. London Gazette 8 March 1920.

The following details are taken from Admiralty recommendations for honours: “Meritorious service in connection with repairs to Fleet Auxiliaries, construction of seaplane base and aerodrome at Biviko during the period July to December 1919.”

William James Clarence Coleman was born in Falmouth on 6 December 1883. A Blacksmith by occupation in civilian life, he continued his career when joining the Royal Navy on 14 April 1903, being ranked as a Blacksmith’s Mate. He served on the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Cornwall, January 1914-March 1917 and was promoted to Blacksmith in August 1914. After a period ashore based at Vivid II, his next seagoing appointment was on the light cruiser H.M.S. Curlew, January 1918-May 1919, during which time he was awarded the long service medal. Coleman then served on the light cruiser H.M.S. Delhi, May 1919-June 1921, taking part in the British campaign in the Baltic against Bolshevik forces. For his services in the campaign Coleman was awarded the Royal Navy M.S.M. He was promoted to Chief Blacksmith in April 1924 and was pensioned ashore on 15 April 1925. With copied service paper.