The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (A. Graves, A.B. H.M.S. Carysfort) pitting, otherwise very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Alfred Graves (alias Greaves) was born at St Margarets, Leicester, on 26 August 1861, and joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 23 October 1876. He was drafted to IMPLACABLE (1876-78) and advanced to Boy 1st Class during December 1877. He next served a five-year Commission aboard IRON DUKE (1878-83) where he was advanced to Ord and A.B. in January and October 1880 respectively. He earned his Egypt award whilst aboard CARYSFORT (5 April 1884 to 8 June 1887), where he was made a Leading Seaman in September 1885, and a Petty Officer 2nd Class (2nd Captain of Fore Top) in January 1887. Whilst serving aboard CANADA (1889-92) he was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class during August 1890, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal on 31 March 1891. He then served aboard NILE (1894-98) and EXCELLENT (1898-1902) where he was made an Acting Chief Petty Officer on 11 August 1898 and confirmed in this rate a year later. When pensioned in 1899 he had signed on for a further five years service in the ANDREW, and was finally discharged to shore in September 1904. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at that time, and was discharged ashore in August 1911 having reached the compulsory retirement age of 50 years.