Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Commissioned Cook and Paymaster Lieutenant W. V. Stear, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (M.12115 W. V. Stear, Ck. Mte., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.12115 W. V. Stear, Ck. Mte., R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.12115 W. V. Stear. L. Ck. H.M.S. Daffodil.) mounted as worn on two bars, together with mounted group of four miniature medals and a Universal Cookery & Food Exhibition 1925 silver medal in fitted presentation case, generally very fine or better ((11) £100-£140

Sold with a small photograph of the recipient with his wife.

William Vincent Stear was born at Kingsbridge, Devon, on 10 December 1892, and was a baker by trade when he joined the Royal Navy on 27 February 1915 as a Cook’s Mate. Serving mainly at various shore establishments, his Great War medals being sent to him aboard the training ship Impregnable at Devonport. He was thereafter advanced to Cook, May 1919; Leading Cook, December 1923; Petty Officer Cook, December 1931; Chief Petty Officer Cook, February 1934; Acting Lieutenant Cook, January 1937; Warrant Cook, 1939; Commissioned Cook W. V. Stear to be Paymaster Lieutenant, 12 February 1943; Paymaster Lieutenant W. V. Stear placed on Retired List, 10 December 1943. He died at Plymouth, Devon, in December 1972, aged 80.