Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Petty Officer A. T. Willey, Royal Navy

China 1900, no clasp (Lg. Sean., H.M.S. Redpole); 1914-15 Star (145155 P/O., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (145155 P.O., R.N.) minor edge bruising, good very fine (3) £250-300

Alfred Thomas Willey was born in Penryn, Cornwall on 10 March 1873. A Shoemaker by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 19 April 1888, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in April 1889. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in March 1891, Able Seaman in April 1912, and Leading Seaman in June 1896. Served on H.M.S. Redpole, January 1899-May 1902, being advanced to Petty Officer in February 1901. Was one of 72 of all ranks serving on the ship to be awarded the China Medal. Serving at Vivid I, he was listed as being invalided in May 1907 due to ‘Gunshot wound leg’. Willey returned to duty with the Royal Navy in the Great War, serving at Vivid I, April 1915 and on H.M.S. Dreel Castle, April 1915-September 1919. With copied service papers and other research.