Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (268961. Donald Mc.Larty, C.E.R.A. 2Cl. H.M.S. Wildfire.) minor edge nicks, good very fine £140-£180

Donald McLarty was born in Greenock, Renfrewshire, on 8 July 1874, and joined the Royal Navy as an acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 25 March 1897. Advanced Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class on 1 January 1908, he was posted to H.M.S. Wildfire on 1 August 1911, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 30 March 1912. Promoted Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class on 30 December 1912, he was lent to the Royal Australian Navy on a three year posting on 1 March 1913, and joined H.M.A.S. Sydney on 27 June 1913. He served in her throughout the Great War, and ‘took part in operations in German New Guinea 11 September 1914, and in the Sydney “Emden” action 9 November 1914. Paid Emden Prize Bounty.’ (Service record refers).

The famous Sydney-Emden action took place on 9 November 1914 when the 2nd Class Cruiser H.M.A.S. Sydney encountered the German Light Cruiser S.M.S. Emden off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. In a short but spectacular career in the Indian Ocean the Emden (Captain Karl von Müller) had bombarded Madras and captured or sunk some 23 allied vessels including a Russian cruiser and a French destroyer. In action with the Sydney, the slower and outgunned Emden was eventually beached in a wrecked condition on North Keeling Island.

McLarty’s posting to the Royal Australian Navy was renewed for another three years on 1 March 1916, and he was shore demobilised on 24 December 1919.

Sold with copied record of service.