Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman C. Laity, Royal Navy

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (A.B., H.M.S. Cossack) claw tightened; British War and Victory Medals (203204 A.B., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (203204 Charles Laity, A.B., H.M.S. Eileen) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £200-260

Charles Laity was born in Helston, Cornwall on 19 March 1882. He enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 13 February 1899 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in May 1899. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in March 1900 when on H.M.S. Highflyer. Serving on H.M.S. Cossack, August 1901-May 1903, he was promoted to Able Seaman in November 1901 and earned the A.G.S. with clasp for Somaliland 1902-04. In March 1912 he was discharged ashore and joined the Devonport Royal Fleet Reserve. Recalled for the war, he served on H.M.S. Prince George, July 1914-March 1916, serving with the Channel Fleet and then in the Mediterranean and service in the Dardanelles; H.M.S. Berwick, June 1916-May 1917 and H.M.S. Eileen (Trinidad), May 1917-April 1919. Awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in December 1917. With copied service paper and roll extracts.