The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Seven: East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Brass River 1894, Benin 1897 (H. Rouncivell, A.B., H.M.S. Barrosa); 1914-15 Star (146676 A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (P.O.1 R.N.); Defence Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (146676 Harry Rouncivell, Comd. Btn., H.M. Coast Guard); Russian Medal of St George for Bravery, 4th class, the reverse officially numbered ‘No.1273156’, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine and better (7)

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

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Harry Rouncivell was born on 11 August 1873 in Great Columb Major, Cornwall, and was a labourer prior to joining the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 18 October 1888 aged 15 years. He transferred to GANGES on 23 October 1888 and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 24 October 1889. He joined next IMPREGNABLE (February 1890) and FEARLESS (September 1890) being advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 11 August 1891. In this rate he subsequently served aboard BALLONA (May 1892), CALYPSO (May 1893) being advanced to Able Seaman on 1 September 1893, BLANCHE (March 1894) and BARROSA (August 1894). During service in BARROSA he took part in the Brass River operations against King Koko in February 1895, and in the same ship was also present in the operations against Chief Overami in Benin in February 1897.

He returned to VIVID I in September 1897 and then served on CAMBRIDGE before returning to VIVID I in October 1898. He was next afloat aboard NILE (January 1899), CURACOA (October 1899), MAGNIFICENT (June 1900), and AUSTRALIA (September 1901). He elected to join the Coast Guard Service as a Boatman in December 1901, and served at Newhaven, Langley (December 1901), Southern District (June 1903), Newhaven (July 1906), Blatchington (December 1906) and Fishbourne (February 1910). He was advanced to Commissioned Boatman on 16 January 1910 and awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1910 when attached to the Coast Guard Service.

He was recalled for war service aboard VICTORY I on 2 August 1914, was transferred to AGINCOURT on 3 December 1914 and served in this ship at the Battle of Jutland, being awarded the Russian Medal of St George 4th Class. He next joined PRESIDENT IV for Coast Guard duties on 31 January 1919, having been advanced to Petty Officer (CG) on 4 October 1918, and served until demobilised on 30 April 1919. He elected to transfer to the Coast Guard Service (New Force) on 1 May 1919, and is believed to have served in the Home Guard during World War II.