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

China 1900, no clasp (W. T. Vosper, Lg. Sean., H.M.S. Hermione) very fine

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

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William Thomas Vosper, was born in Launceston, Cornwall, on 11 March 1875, and was an office boy prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 9 June 1900 when aged 15 years. He served in HERMIONE whilst in Chinese Waters between June and November 1900, and was presented with his China War medal by H.M. King Edward VII on 8 March 1902.

He was promoted to Acting Gunner in 1908 and appointed to HIBERNIA (June 1908), RUSSELL (March 1910), VIVID (August 1912) ‘for Duty at the Royal Naval Barracks’, ALBATROSS (July 1914), and ALMANZORA (April 1915). He was promoted to Chief Gunner on 13 September 1918 and was next appointed to CONQUEROR (February 1919), and VIVID (April 1921) ‘for Duty at the Royal Naval Barracks’. In 1921 he was promoted to Commissioned Gunner with back dated seniority of 13 September 1918. He retired as a Lieutenant on 16 August 1922 and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on the Retired List on 12 August 1930. He volunteered for service in World War II when aged 65 years and was appointed to CALLIOPE ‘Parent Ship Tyne’ on 8 April 1940, and DRAKE ‘Parent Ship Devonport’ on 23 July 1942. He reverted to the Retired List in 1945 and died on 28 November 1952 aged 77 years.