Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Petty Officer E. W. Castle, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895 (E. W. Castle, A.B., H.M.S. Widgeon); China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (E. W. Castle, A.B., H.M.S. Centurion); 1914-15 Star (156093 E. W. Castle,L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (156093 E. W. Castle, P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (156093 E. W. Castle, Boatn., H.M. Coast Guard), the first two with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise generally very fine (6) £1200-1500

One of just 22 East & West Africa Medals awarded to the R.N. with this combination of clasps.

Edwin Walter Castle was born in Dover, Kent, in July 1875 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1890.

During his subsequent time aboard H.M.S. Widgeon from January 1892 to July 1895, he witnessed extensive service ashore as a Bluejacket in the Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894 and Brass River 1895 punitive expeditions, thereby becoming one of just 22 men to be awarded the above described combination of clasps.

Returning to the U.K., Castle qualified as a Diver at Excellent, and, as occasion arose, was employed in the capacity until November 1902, in which period he witnessed further action off China in the Centurion, where he was once more landed as a Bluejacket for the relief of Pekin operations (Medal & clasp).

Transferring to the Coast Guard at Newhaven in the summer of 1902, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in July 1908, but was recalled to regular seagoing duties as a Leading Seaman in July 1914, from whence, until early 1915, he served in the battleship Victorious. Removing to the seaplane carrier Campania in April of the latter year, he remained similarly employed until coming ashore to Pembroke I in February 1916. His final appointment was in the ancient sloop Gannet from September 1916 until February 1919, in which latter month he was demobilised; sold with copied service record and Medal & clasp roll verification for his East & West Africa and China Medals.