Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (O. Haskins, A.B., H.M.S. Brisk) some contact marks, very fine
£160-200

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, February 1997

Oliver Haskins was born in Portbury, Somerset, on 6 April 1866. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard Impregnable on 9 September 1881, and was subsequently drafted to Ganges (1881-83) where he was advanced to Boy 1st Class in October 1882. He joined Agincourt (September 1883 to September 1884) where he was made an Ordinary Seaman in April 1884, and then served aboard H.M. Ships Mallard (1884-86) where he was advanced to Able Seaman during April 1886, and Brisk (20 March 1888 to 26 November 1891). During service in the latter vessel he took part in the Expedition against Chief Fumo Bakari in October 1890. He elected to join the Coast Guard as a Boatman on 2 November 1893, and was advanced to Commissioned Boatman on 29 November 1899 and to Chief Boatman on 19 April 1907.

He received his L.S. & G.C. medal as a Commissioned Boatman on 17 March 1907. His Rate designation was altered to Petty Officer (Coast Guard) on 1 April 1910, and raised to Chief Petty Officer (Coast Guard) on 21 February 1911. He was promoted to Chief Officer (Coast Guard) on 5 March 1913, and served in this rank throughout World War I. He was retired on reaching the age limit (55 years) with the rank of Lieutenant R.N. on 6 April 1921.

He was awarded a bronze Medal and Diploma by the French Government in recognition of his services in assisting in the rescue of the French Schooner Espeigle stranded at Tolpsdow, Penswith, Cornwall on 14 October 1913. Sold with copied service papers and copied photographs of H.M.S. Brisk.