Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Nine: Lieutenant-Commander Harry Bevis, Royal Navy, a prisoner of war of the Japanese

1914-15 Star (Act. Gun, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Act. Gnr., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Gunner Harry Bevis, R.N. 18th Feby. 1923) with bronze buckle on ribbon; Marine Society Reward of Merit, silver (Harry Bevis, 7 March 1910) ring suspension, nearly extremely fine (9) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Life Saving Awards.

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Harry Bevis was born in St. Leonards, Sussex on 9 May 1886. From the training ship Warspite he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 27 January 1902, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in October the same year. Serving on H.M.S. Centurion he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in May 1904 and Able Seaman in December 1904. He was promoted to Leading Seaman when on H.M.S. Bonaventure in August 1912. During the Great War he served at H.M.S. Dolphin, March-May 1915 and June-August 1917 and was promoted to Petty Officer whilst serving there in April 1915. Having served as an Acting Gunner he was confirmed in that rank in January 1919. On 18 February 1923 he effected the rescue of an able seaman whilst at sea for which he was awarded the R.H.S. Medal in Bronze (R.H.S. Case no. 46,704). Bevis was appointed a Commissioned Gunner in June 1927 and retired with the rank of Lieutenant on 9 May 1936. Mobilised on 28 September 1938, he served in the Far East and was listed as a ‘prisoner of war since the fall of Hong Kong’. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in October 1946. Bevis was recalled for service in August 1952, being involved in ‘degaussing work’ before being returned to the Retired List once more in August 1955.

With copied service papers.