Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Patrol Duty’ D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Armourer W. H. Harrington, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (143238. W. H. Harrington, Ch. Armr. H.M.S. Ebro. 1916); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (W. Harrington, Ch. Arm., H.M.S. Mohawk.); 1914-15 Star (143238, W. H. Harrington, Ch. Armr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (143238 W. H. Harrington. Ch. Armr. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (. H. Harrington. Ch. Armr. H.M.S. Pactolus.) light contact marks to pre-Great War awards, minor edge bruise to first, generally good very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.S.M. London Gazette 21 April 1917:
‘In recognition of services in Patrol Cruisers, under the command of Vice-Admiral Reginald G. O. Tupper, C.B., C.V.O., during the period 1 July to 31 December 1916.’

William Henry Harrington was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 11 November 1865 and joined the Royal Navy as Armourer’s Crew on 20 September 1887. Advanced Acting Chief Armourer on 21 March 1900, he was posted to H.M.S. Pactolus on 12 January 1901, and was confirmed in that rate on 27 March 1901, being awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 12 November 1902. He served in H.M.S. Mohawk from 8 January 1903 to 13 July 1904, and saw active service during the operations on and off the coast of Somaliland. He was shore pensioned on 21 September 1909.

Recalled for service on 2 August 1914, following the outbreak of the Great War, Harrington served in the auxiliary cruiser H.M.S. Ebro from 16 April 1915 to 3 January 1919, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services in Patrol Cruisers in the latter half of 1916. He was demobilised on 6 February 1919.