The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Five: China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (T. Cavan, A.B., H.M.S. Endymion); 1914-15 Star Trio (Gnr. T. Cavan, R.N.); The Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., bronze (T. Cavan, P.O.1. May 20th 1910) the first and last with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (5)

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

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Thomas Cavan served aboard H.M.S. ENDYMION, Ship's Book No.140, during the 3rd China War and was landed for service on shore as a member of the ship’s Naval Brigade at the relief of Pekin. He was selected whilst at EXCELLENT for gun carriage duties at the funeral of King Edward VII on 20 May 1910 and was one of the party that drew the gun carriage from Windsor Station to St Georges Chapel. He was presented with the Royal Victorian Medal, Edward VII (bronze) by King George V on 6 June 1910.

He was promoted to Acting Gunner on 29 April 1914, and appointed to the cruiser LEVIATHAN on 2 August 1914. He served in this ship as part of the 6th Cruiser Squadron in 1914 and as part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron in 1915 and remained in LEVIATHAN 1916-17 when the ship was part of the North America and West Indies Squadron. He was next appointed to the shore establishment EXCELLENT on 10 November 1916 and confirmed in the rank of Gunner with seniority backdated to 29 April 1914. Appointed next to the Light Cruiser DIDO on 1 July 1917 and to the Battleship RAMILLES ‘for Instructional Duties’ on 4 August 1918. He was reappointed to EXCELLENT on 6 July 1921 and promoted to Commissioned Gunner on 20 April 1924 and reappointed to RAMILLES on 23 April 1924. He was then lent to the New Zealand Navy, joining H.M.N.Z.S. DUNEDIN on 1 April 1927. On his return to Royal Navy in 1930 he was appointed to FISGARD on 2 march 1930. He retired on 7 May 1931 with the rank of Lieutenant and was recalled for war service on 2 September 1939 aboard PRESIDENT III. He served at this establishment for the entire war and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1942. His war service was recognised by the award of the Defence and War Medals. He reverted to the Retired List 1946 and died circa 1949-50.