The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, 1891-2, Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894 (J. H. Job, P.O. 2nd Cl., H.M.S. Widgeon) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine and a unique clasp combination

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

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John Job was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, on 22 July 1860. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. GANGES on 25 January 1876, and advanced to Boy 1st Class during January 1877, and to Ord aboard HERCULES in July 1878. He subsequently served aboard ROYAL ADELAIDE (1878-81), AGINCOURT (1881-83, Egypt medal?), DEFENCE (1883-85), HOTSPUR (1885-86) where he received advancement to Leading Seaman in November 1885, and to Petty Officer 2nd Class (as Coxswain 2nd Class) during May 1886, ALGERINE (1886-88) and WIDGEON (13 May 1890 to 30 September 1894). In the latter ship he was landed in 1891 and 1892 for service in the Naval Brigade sent to punish the rebel Chief Fodeh Cabbah. In 1894 he took part in the Benin River Expedition sent against the slave raiding Chief Fodi Silah, and was also a member of the Expedition sent against Chief Nanna. He was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 8 August 1892, and next served aboard ALECTO (1894-95) where he was made an Acting Chief Petty Officer during October 1894, and confirmed a year later. He joined MONARCH (1898-99) and was pensioned to shore on 28 February 1899. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 27 October 1902, from which he was discharged due to age during July 1910. He was recalled for World War I on 2 August 1914 as a Chief Petty Officer and demobilised on 5 August 1918. Having lost one Good Conduct Badge during 1888, and been five times sent to cells during his career, he was never awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal.