Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extensive ‘Royal Tournament’ group of four awarded to Petty Officer G. O. Baillie, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Colossus at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916

1914-15 Star (J.19439. G. O. Baillie. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.19439. G. O. Baillie. L.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.19439 G. O. Baillie, P.O. H.M.S. Vivid.) mounted as worn; together with nine Royal Tournament prize medals, all for fencing, one in silver for 1926; and eight in bronze, for 1924, 1925, 1926 (2), 1929, 1933, and 1935 (2), all named to the recipient, and all in embossed cases of issue, the mounted group polished and worn, with traces of verdigris to VM, therefore fair to fine; the Royal Tournament medals nearly extremely fine (lot) £300-£400

George Ochiltree Baillie was born in Edinburgh on 16 April 1895 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 2 August 1912. Promoted Able Seaman on 12 June 1914, he served during the Great War in the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Colossus from 15 April 1915 to 26 July 1918, including at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, where Colossus was the only dreadnought from the main body of the Grand Fleet to be hit during the Battle. Promoted Leading Seaman on 5 December 1917, and Petty Officer on 25 March 1921, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £20, on 28 June 1928, and was shore pensioned on 15 April 1935. Recalled for service during the Second World War, he was finally released on 12 September 1945.

A keen fencer, Baillie regularly competed at the Royal Tournament, winning medals for each of the foil, sabre, and epee, and was awarded a Hurt Certificate on 28 August 1929 for straining his muscle whilst fencing. A postman in civilian life, he died in Stafford on 1 June 1990.

Sold with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Service, Gunnery and Torpedo History Sheet, and Certificate for Wounds and Hurts; two small cups, the first silver and engraved ‘Portsmouth R.N. & R.M. Boxing Championships 1922 Winner G. O. Baillie P.O.’, the second EPNS and engraved ‘E.M.G.C. Veterans Trophy 1955 won by G. Baillie.’; two named Boxing Medals, one silver, the other bronze, both for 1925; named Royal Life Saving Society Swimming Proficiency Medal; Petty Officer’s cloth insignia; various buttons; photographs; and other ephemera.