Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Sergeant W. Rann, Royal Marine Artillery, who served in the Naval Brigade during the Third China War, taking part in the relief of Pekin and the operations at Tiensin, and subsequently saw further action during the Great War in H.M.S. Benbow at the Battle of Jutland

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (W. H. Rann, Gnr. R.M.A., H.M.S. Centurion); 1914-15 Star (R.M.A. 4240 Sgt. W. H. Rann); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (R.M.A. 4240 Sgt. W. H. Rann); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4240 W. H. Rann, Bombardier R.M.A.); Naval Good Shooting Medal, E.VII.R. (R.M.A. 4240 Bombr. W. H. Rann, H.M.S. Indomitable. 1909. 12 In. B.L.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband with palm, VM officially re-impressed, the group lacquered throughout, edge bruise to first, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine or better (7) £800-£1,200

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 February 1919.

Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 October 1919.

William Rann was born in Portsea, Portsmouth, on 27 August 1885, and joined the Royal Marine Artillery as a Bugler on 25 July 1891. He first service afloat was aboard H.M.S. Nelson on 31 May 1892, returning to the Royal Marine Artillery Depot on 4 October 1893. His next posting afloat was H.M.S. Royal Arthur on 9 March 1894, and H.M.S. Imperieuse on 1 January 1896. Promoted to Gunner on 11 September 1897, he next served at sea aboard H.M.S. Aurora from 28 February 1899, but was soon after transferred to H.M.S. Centurion on 5 May 1899. In the latter vessel he was landed in June 1900 as part of the Naval Brigade for service in China during the Boxer Rebellion, and was present during the relief of Pekin and the operations at Tiensin. Leaving H.M.S. Centurion on 19 September 1901, Rann’s next service afloat was aboard H.M.S. Montague from 28 July 1903; H.M.S. Natal from 5 April 1907; and H.M.S. Indomitable from 24 June 1908. Whilst serving in H.M.S. Indomitable in 1909 he was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal for accuracy with the 12" Breech Loading Gun, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, having been promoted to Bombardier on 15 November 1906 and to Corporal on 3 November 1909. He next joined H.M.S. Temeraire on 16 May 1911, and was promoted to Sergeant on 30 June 1913. On 4 February 1914, Rann joined H.M.S. Orion, serving in her until discharged to shore ‘time expired’ in August 1914. 

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Rann was immediately mobilised on 28 August 1914, joining H.M.S. Benbow on 7 October of that year, and was present in this battleship at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, where H.M.S. Benbow was the Flag Ship of Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, Commanding the Fourth Battle Squadron. He was next drafted to H.M.S. Lord Nelson on 15 July 1916, and on 9 February 1918 he was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery Heavy Siege Train in France, for which service he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He returned to the Depot in January 1919 and served ashore until demobilised on 20 May 1919.

Sold with copy service papers, medal roll extracts, and other research.