Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class R. G. Poe, Royal Navy

British War Medal 1914-20 (M.14984 R. G. Poe. B. Art. R.N.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (M.14984 R. G. Poe. E.R.A. 4 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M.19484 R. G. Poe, E.R.A. 1. H.M.S. Despatch.) edge bruise to BWM, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £60-£80

Ronald George Poe was born on 22 February 1900, at Portsmouth, Hampshire. He commenced naval service as a Boy Artificer in H.M.S. Fisgard, on 31 July 1915, and subsequently served in H.M.S. Victory II, and H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, being advanced to Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 1 June 1920. He was confirmed in this rate in H.M.S. Calcutta, on 12 September 1924, and was further advanced to Engine Room Artificer Third Class on 1 June 1923. He remained in naval service serving in several ships, including H.M.S. Fisgard, H.M.S. Dolphin, and H.M.S. Columbine and was advanced to Engine Room Artificer Second Class, H.M.S. Dauntless, on 1 June 1927. He was further advanced to Engine Room Artificer First Class, H.M.S. Excellent, on 1 June 1932, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1933. He was promoted to Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class, H.M.S. Resource on 4 February 1937, and was confirmed in this rate in H.M.S. Excellent, on 4 February 1938. He remained in naval service in the Second World War and was further advanced to Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class, H.M.S. Drake II, on 11 April 1940. He is noted as having war service in H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and H.M.S. Hecla (Spare Corvette). He was released from service in H.M.S. Victory in November 1945, and his service record is noted ‘Rendered valuable service on “M2” salvage operations.’