Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Chief Stoker J. E. Davis, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (151466 Ch. Sto. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (151466 Ch. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Fire Queen) nearly extremely fine (4) £150-200

John Edward Davis was born in Gosport on 9 February 1869, and joined the Royal Navy at Portsmouth in October 1889. After initial training as a Stoker, he joined H.M.S. Camperdown in 1892 and it was on this vessel the following year he was serving when she was in collision with H.M.S. Victoria, which sank, whilst on manoeuvres off Tripoli. He was rated Chief Stoker in 1901, and awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1904 whilst serving on the yacht Fire Queen. Transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve in 1911, he was recalled for service in the Great War, and served throughout on board the cruiser Southampton. In her he saw action at Heligoland Bight in 1914, Dogger Bank in 1915, and Jutland in 1916. It was at Jutland that Southampton was heavily engaged, with 75% of her upper deck crew becoming casualties. Although badly damaged and on fire she still managed to torpedo and sink the German cruiser Frauenlob. Davis was finally demobilised in 1919 after service of nearly 30 years. Sold with full service details.