Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private P. Garvey, Royal Marine Light Infantry

1914-15 Star (Ply.15529 Pte., R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ply. 15529, Pte., R.M.L.I.) very fine (3) £80-100

Patrick Garvey was born in Oldham, Lancashire in 1893. A shoemaker by trade, he enlisted into the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1912. From the outbreak of war he served aboard the battleship H.M.S. Albion. The ship was initially based at Devonport as part of the 8th Battle Squadron but was then sent to the Mediterranean for the Dardanelles operations. On 18 March 1915 the Albion in company with a host of other battleships, cruisers, destroyers and smaller craft entered the Dardanelles and, braving minefields, engaged the Turkish shore batteries. Losses were heavy, with the British Irresistible and Ocean and French Bouvet all striking mines and sinking. At such a close range the ships also made excellent targets for the Turkish gunners and most of the capital ships received hits. Private Garvey aboard the Albion was severely wounded by shell splinters which shattered both arms, necessitating their amputation and suffered further wounds to his body and head. Returning to Plymouth he was discharged invalided on 13 July 1915. Sold with copied service papers and other research.