Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The impressive group of twelve miniature dress medals attributed to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Laurence Field, Royal Navy

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, gold and enamel, ring suspension; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, gold and enamel, ring suspension; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20, 5 clasps, North Sea 1915, North Sea 1916, Jutland 31 May ‘16, North Sea 1917, North Sea 1918; Victory Medal 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Russia, Order of St. Anne, with swords, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; Romania, Order of the Crown, 1st issue,with swords, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 4th Class, silver-gilt, gold and enamel, rosette on ribbon; U.S.A., Navy Distinguished Service Medal, gilt and enamel, mounted court style as worn, contained in leather case by J. R. Gaunt & Son Ltd., 53 Conduit Street, London, lid inscribed in gilt, ‘Rear Admiral F. L. Field, C.B., C.M.G.’, some with minor enamel damage, generally good very fine (12) £800-1000

The recipient’s full-size medals were previously sold at Spink 18 March 1997 and Sotheby’s 30 June 1983. The miniatures are ex Gordon Fairbank Collection and ex D.N.W. 23 June 2005.

Frederick Laurence Field was born in Killarney on 19 April 1871, the second son of Colonel Spencer Field, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Joining the Royal Navy in 1884, he was appointed a Lieutenant in 1893. During the Boxer Rebellion he landed from H.M.S. Barfleur and was wounded in the taking of Tientsin City. For his services he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the medal with clasp. Promoted to Commander in 1902 and Captain in 1907. Served throughout the Great War, being present at the battle of Jutland as Captain of the battleship H.M.S. King George V. For his services during the war he was mentioned in despatches, awarded the C.B. (1916), C.M.G. (1919) and orders and medals from France, Romania, Russia and U.S.A. Served as Chief of Staff to Admiral 2i.c. of the Grand Fleet, 1916-18 and Director of Torpedoes and Mining, 1918-20. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1919; Vice-Admiral in 1924; Admiral in 1928 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1933. Served as Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy, 1920-23 and was awarded the K.C.B. in 1923 and K.C.M.G. in 1924. Served as Rear-Admiral commanding the Battle Cruiser Squadron, 1923; Vice-Admiral commanding Special Service Squadron during the World Cruise, 1923-24; Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, 1925-28; Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, 1928-30; First Sea Lord of the Admiralty and Chief of Naval Staff, 1930-33. Awarded the G.C.B. in 1933. Latterly living in Escrick Park, York, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Field died on 24 October 1945.