The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Three: East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (Lieut. B. Steel, R.N., H.M.S. Forte); Transport Medal 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (B. Steel); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, E.VII.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1909, very fine and better (3)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Benjamin Steel was born in Birkenhead on 18 May 1863, and joined the Royal Navy Reserve as a Sub Lieutenant on 26 September 1892. For training and accounting purposes he was borne on the books of H.M.S. EAGLE at Liverpool and served with the Ocean Steam Navigation Company (White Star Line) mainly on the Atlantic Run for the majority of his time in the R.N.R. As part of his R.N.R. training he joined H.M.S. FORTE on 9 June 1896 as an Acting Lieutenant R.N.R., and served aboard HIBERNIA 27-30 June 1896 when he was reappointed to FORTE. He served in this ship until 19 May 1897 and served in the punitive Naval Expedition Commanded by Rear Admiral Rawson C.B., to punish the King of Benin for the massacre of the political expedition in 1897, being present at the capture of Benin City in February 1897.

Promoted to Lieutenant R.N.R. on 15 June 1897, he was next appointed in May 1897 to REVENGE and THESEUS. During the Boer War he served as Chief Officer aboard the Transport BRITANNIC of the Ismay Imrie Company. His Transport Medal was presented to him by King Edward VII on 4 November 1903. He was placed on the Retired List with rank of Commander on 18 May 1908 and awarded the Reserve Decoration on 9 November 1909. He was not recalled for service in the R.N.R. during World War I and died at Southampton on 17 October 1944, aged 81 years.