Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Minesweeping’ D.S.M. and rare campaign combination group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer C. H. Grant, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (116429. C. Grant, C.P.O. H.M.S. Pekin. Minesweeping. 1917.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Suakin 1884, Suakin 1885 (C. H. Grant... oy. 1 Cl: H.M.S. “A......) edge details worn in places; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (C. H. Grant, P.O. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Gibraltar.); British War and Victory Medals (116429 C. H. Grant. Act. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (116429. CH. Grant. Act. C.P.O. H.M.S. Pekin.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, toned, contact marks to Egypt Medal, remainder generally very fine or better (7) £1,400-£1,800

D.S.M. London Gazette 17 April 1918:

‘In recognition of their services in minesweeping operations between the 1st April and 31st December 1917.’

Approximately 110 Egypt Medals with 3 clasps awarded to the Royal Navy, of which 7 are known with this combination.



Charles Henry Grant was born in Lymington, Hampshire in November 1865. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in June 1881, advanced to Boy 1st Class later that year and served with H.M.S. Alexandria from June 1882 to January 1883. Grant then served with H.M.S. Carysfort between February 1883 and June 1886. He advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class in August 1898, and served with H.M.S. Gibraltar from March 1901 through to February 1904. Grant was shore pensioned in July 1909, and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve.

Grant reengaged for service during the Great War, advanced to Chief Petty Officer, and served on minesweeping duties whilst based at H.M.S. Pekin (auxiliary patrol shore base, Grimsby) from November 1915 until November 1919 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in March 1920).

Sold with copied service papers and research.