Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Ship’s Corporal First Class C. E. Champion, Royal Navy, Later Royal Fleet Reserve

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (C. E. Champion, A.B., H.M.S. Theseus.); 1914-15 Star (168330, C. E. Champion, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (168330 C. E. Champion. Sh. Cpl. 1 R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (168330 (Ch. B. 859) C. E. Champion. Sh. Cpl. 1 R.F.R.); Defence Medal, mounted for display in this order, nearly very fine and better (6) £240-£280

Charles Edward Champion was born in Nottingham on 12 May 1877 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 14 August 1892. Posted to H.M.S. Theseus on 14 January 1896, he was promoted Able Seaman on 1 March 1897 and served in Theseus during the operations against Chief Overiami at Benin City from 6 February 1897. Shore discharged, by purchase, on 19 October 1898, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 12 September 1902, and re-enrolled in October 1911. Recalled for War service on 2 August 1914, he served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, and was promoted Ship’s Corporal on 13 May 1918. He was finally demobilised on 18 April 1919.