The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Pair: India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 (Asst. Engr. E. G. Penn, H.M.I.M.S. “Jaboona”); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Engr. E. G. Venn, R.I.M.S. Hardinge) good very fine (2)

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

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Ernest Venn was born in Whimple, Devon, on 30 November 1861. He was employed as an Apprentice at the Jaff Vale Railway Company Locomotive Shops and drawing office. He served as an Engineer at sea from November 1882 to December 1885, and as a Draughtsman from February to October 1886. He joined the Indian Marine as an Assistant Engineer aboard TAMIL in October 1886 and subsequently served in this rank aboard JABOONA (February 1887), this vessel being used to transport troops and supplies during the military operations in Burma. He was next appointed to IRRAWADDY (March 1887), JABOONA (October 1887), ENTERPRISE (July 1888) and TIGRIS (September 1888), and was in Charge of the Calcutta Yard Craft and Torpedo Boat GHURKHA (28 July 1890). He served next in the prestigious position of Engineer in Charge of the Viceroy's Yacht (May-July 1891), and returned to the Calcutta Yard Craft and Torpedo Boat GHURKHA (July 1891). He was appointed to Karachi Dockyard as Foreman of the Factory (April 1892) and appointed sub-pro-tem Inspector of Machinery (May-July 1892). He joined the Engineer's course in Electric Lighting on board H.M. Ships VERNON and EXCELLENT (September-December 1893), and obtained the following Certificates: Whitehead Torpedo 1st Class, Electric Light 1st Class, and Hydraulic Machinery 2nd Class.

On his return to India his services were placed temporarily at the disposal of the Government of Bengal for duty as engineer Surveyor to the Port of Calcutta (August 1894). He reverted to his duties at Karachi Dockyard (October 1894) and was promoted to 2nd Engineer and Shipwright Surveyor under the Bengal Government (April 1896). He next joined IRRAWADDY (November 1901) and served as an Engineer on Government Duties at Aden (June 1903). He subsequently joined HARDINGE (July 1903) for service in Somali waters to earn entitlement to the Africa General Service medal. As Engineer in Charge he was appointed to MINTO (December 1903), DALHOUSIE (September 1904), HARDINGE (January 1905), and CANNING (January 1906). He served as 2nd Engineer and Shipwright Surveyor to the Government of Bengal (October 1906) and was promoted to Chief Engineer on 25 September 1907. He continued to work with the Government of Bengal until he retired on 5 October 1911 having reached 50 years of age and served for 25 years.