Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Leading Stoker W. D. Lester, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (K.17696, W. D. Lester, Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.17696 W. D. Lester. Act. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (K.17696 W. D. Lester. L. Sto. H.M.S. Resource.) heavily polished, therefore fair to fine (4) £100-£140

William Daniel Lester was born at Bethnal Green, London, on 5 May 1893. He commenced naval service as Stoker Second Class on 16 January 1913 and was advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Seagull on 20 November 1913. During the Great War he served in H.M.S. Skipjack, H.M.S. Syringa and H.M.S. Gibraltar. He was advanced to Leading Stoker, H.M.S. Syringa, on 11 March 1918 and subsequently served in several ships including H.M.S. Research, H.M.S. Witherington, H.M.S. Columbine, H.M.S. Dolphin, H.M.S. Barham, and H.M.S. Frobisher. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1934, and was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Victory II (Tyrant) on 3 November 1934. He was recalled to H.M.S. Victory II in February 1940, and subsequently served in H.M.S. Maidstone. He was released from H.M.S. Daedalus in August 1945.