Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Stoker First Class J. F. Keefe, Royal Navy

British War and Victory Medals (S.S.118750 J. F. Keefe. Sto. 2. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (K.61277 J. F. Keefe. Sto. I. H.M.S. Osprey.) contact marks, generally very fine (3) £60-£80

John Francis Keefe was born on 22 June 1900, at Homerton, London. He commenced naval service as Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Victory, on 24 June 1918. He then served in H.M.S. Hamadryad, being advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Dryad, and H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. He transferred to a continuous service engagement on 23 May 1923, and was re-numbered K.61277. Posted to H.M.S. Furious for service with the Fleet Air Arm on 6 January 1926, he transferred to H.M.S. Victory II in January 1929 and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1933. He was pensioned from H.M.S. Victory I (Highlander) on 23 June 1940, but was retained for war service, serving in H.M.S. Eaglet. He was released from service in August 1945.