View Full Version : Naval General Service Medal 1915 Bar : Persian Gulf 1909-1914
I noticed this new section had been included recently. So after my article on the campaign I thought I would post photos of my collection of Naval General Service Medals for this campaign.
Up until the First World War, the campaign medals awarded to the Royal Navy had the name of the recipient’s ship shown on the rim of the medal. This practice ceased for campaign medals but was continued for Navy Long Service Medals up until the earlier 1980s. It was however revived briefly for the South Atlantic (Falklands) Campaign in 1982. The inclusion of the ship name is one feature that attracted me towards collecting the NGS Medal for Persian Gulf, particularly as medals to some of the smaller ships are not common. In all about 7,200 medals were issued, compared to around 16,700 medals to the RN and RM for the Falklands. Yet the NGS can still be found for about a third of the price of the South Atlantic Medal. Another factor is that the NGS is a silver medal (SAM is cupro nickel) and has a very attractive design on both the obverse and reverse. Plus the added bonus is that the service papers for many of the recipients of the NGS are available at the National Archives and many can be purchased on-line.
You may notice that a lot of the medals appear as singles or part groups, with other medals missing. These are mainly the First World War Medals as many recipients went on to serve in WWI. However as several of the medals to the smaller ships and launches are seldom seen for sale, I naturally preferred to buy an incomplete group when it came along, rather than miss the opportunity to buy a medal to that ship. For other medals in the groups, instead of identifying all the medals, I have included a simple ribbon chart below.
I have service papers for virtually all the recipients of these medals. Many have very interesting stories that would take pages to unravel in full. They include one man who deserted towards the end of WWI and was never caught and punished; the Navy decided they didn’t want him anymore in 1942! Another man was sentenced to 14 days for skulking, presumably not performing his work properly. One was promoted to Warrant Officer and then court marshalled twice, caused through his excessive drinking. One man volunteered for the Submarine Service only to lose his life in the tragic accidental sinking of Sub E41. Two of them resigned from the Royal Navy as ABs and appeared as Gunners (Warrant Officers) in the Royal Indian Marine the following day. One man worked his way up through the ranks and finished as a Lt Cdr on the retired list. One of them was even a turner who served on RIMS Minto but came from Karachi Dockyard.
Apart from trying to collect medals to every vessel, I have also tried to collect to a variety of ranks / rates. These include things like Royal Marine Artillery Gunners; the only ship to carry these was the battleship HMS Swiftsure. I haven’t quite got every vessel yet, there are just three armed launches that have evaded me. No doubt examples will turn up at some point.
I will post the photos in batches and give the names of the recipients.
Photo 01
D Rootes Leading Stoker HMS Alert - sloop
F C Ford Ord Seaman HMS Dartmouth - cruiser
M Frain Pte RMLI (HMS Dartmouth)
W Mitchell Stoker 1st Class HMS Espiegle - sloop
Photo 02
A C Denham Paymaster RN HMS Espiegle
Photo 03
T Netherton AB HMS Fox - cruiser
Photo 04
J Clegg AB HMS Harold – armed launch
D McAllister Stoker 1st Class HMS Highflyer - cruiser
E W Sutch AB HMS Highflyer
Photo 05
A W A Booker 1st Writer HMS Hyacinth - cruiser
E N A Sayers AB HMS Hyacinth
J R Mynett Signaller HMS Karanja – armed launch
D E Wood Carpenter’s Mate HMS Lapwing - gunboat
E G Mills Commander RIMS Lawrence – paddle despatch vessel
Photo 06
R C McCarthy AB HMS Mashona – armed launch
Shaik Dawood Stoker 1st Class HMS Miner – armed launch
A Gonsalves 2nd Grade Clerk RIMS Minto - troopship
Syed Ibrahim Turner RIMS Minto
W J Smith AB HMS Odin - sloop
Tajoodin Mahomed Sallia Engine Driver RIMS Palinarus – river steamer
Photo 07
W S Broom Stoker 1st Class HMS Pelorus - cruiser
Photo 08
T Pearson AB HMS Pelorus
J Wright Artificer Engineer RN (Warrant Officer) HMS Pelorus
S A Hawken Clerk RN (Midshipman) HMS Perseus - cruiser
G Hawkes Sto 1st Class HMS Perseus
Photo 09
J W Allison Master At Arms HMS Philomel - cruiser
Photo 10
H J Baker Stoker PO HMS Proserpine - cruiser
A Kenny Cpl RMLI HMS Proserpine
Photo 11
R H Haydyn Gunner RN HMS Redbreast - gunboat
A V Beail AB HMS Sphinx – special service paddle vessel
Photo 12
A T Holland Telegrapher HMS Swiftsure - battleship
L T Cousins Gunner RMA HMS Swiftsure
Photo 13
W F C Woolhouse Leading Seaman HMS Swiftsure
J Gamble Ordinary Seaman HMS Tamil – armed launch
You have a superb collection Jim!
Would really love to know more of the stories you have related snippets of!
I could understand the drinking problems that would occur in that heat!
Bryan
Here are two RPPC's of the pre WWI period showing two RN ratings wearing the NGS medal. No idea who they are tho, unfortunately,
Bryan
Here illustrated is my only medal group that includes the NGS (Persian Gulf 1909-14) clasp:
Both his NGS & AGS medals are named to HMS Fox.
Bryan
& the only reason I purchased this medal group many many yrs ago as it came with a beautiful framed studio portrait of the recipient as a young man wearing his Signalman rate badge. I am guessing from the entries in his SR that the photo was taken Apl 1910, when he was rated Signalman.
Leading Signalman Robert Davis ent'd the RN in July 06 & served continuously until being invalivded with "Tubercule of Lung" June 1920. He must have died not long afterwards as his War medals were sent to his widow. All of his WWI service was in Destroyers.
Here is my small collection.
CPO Benjamin Ellis born Peacehaven, Sussex 1877
He served on HMS KARANJA & HMS PHILOMEL mainly but I do have his full Navy Record and he did serve on quite a few ships in his 22 years.
I inherited these from a very long lost Aunt who had emigrated to Oz in the 1960's.
It's a long story but I may have to sell these medals because there is a minor, but friendly dispute, with my Kid Brother over who should have actually received them from the Solicitors will reading. It is thought that long lost Aunt got our names confused :D
I never knew Ben Ellis because he died when I was very young so their is no attachment or historical reasons why I need to hang onto these medals really so I may well sell and split the proceeds with my Brother if only to shut him up! :D
Note the Queen Mary tin they have been stored in for years and years.
Nice set of medals Mel.
If you have no interest selling might be yr best bet to preserve peace with yr brother.
I could be interested but would like more details on his service, & also on his NGS & Long Service medal - what are the details of the naming on the edge of those medals? & do you have his original service record?
Bryan
Nice set of medals Mel.
If you have no interest selling might be yr best bet to preserve peace with yr brother.
I could be interested but would like more details on his service, & also on his NGS & Long Service medal - what are the details of the naming on the edge of those medals? & do you have his original service record?
Bryan
Bryan......I only have a copy from records office of his Naval Service Record and sadly no photo's that I can lay my hands on.
On his LSGC Medal edge it reads: 174749 B.G.ELLIS P.O.1 CL HMS PHILOMEL
Navy General Service Medal: Same again but HMS Karanja
Bar is Persian Gulf 1909 - 1914
Cheers.. Melv.
Thanks Mel,
what are his WWI ships & did he ever have any pre war service on HMS Victoria?
Bryan
Thanks Mel,
what are his WWI ships & did he ever have any pre war service on HMS Victoria?
Bryan
No Bryan.
Ships in addition to the above....PHILOMEL & KARANJA
HMS.......
DUKE OF WELLINGTON
http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/hampshire/portsmouth/photos/portsmouth_22755.htm
ALEXANDRIA
FIREQUEEN
FOX
ALERT
EDGAR
HYACYINTH
ALSATION
BERYL
ARROGANT
CERCENT? (Sp)
MARSKO (Sp)
COLLEEN
Plus the usual shore bases.....Victory....Dolphin.....Vernon
........and then he did 30 years as a Civvie in Portsmouth Dockyard as a liason officer between the Royal Navy and Civilian Defence Organisation.
I am fairly certain he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for his work during WW2 but can't prove it as yet.
david hawkes
02-09-2008, 01:34
Hi Odin.
I am doing research into my late fathers service in the Royal Navy.
He joined as a boy entrant to the Ganges in 1911. Leaving boys service he was drafted to H.M.S. Hyacinth in Feb of that year, leaving that ship in Jan 1917.
Hi Odin.
I am doing research into my late fathers service in the Royal Navy.
He joined as a boy entrant to the Ganges in 1911. Leaving boys service he was drafted to H.M.S. Hyacinth in 1913 leaving the ship in Jan 1917.
Having recently joined World Naval Ships Forum I noticed your interesting article about the Gulf Naval General General Service Medal 1909-1914. Amongst the ships mentioned as having been there was the Hyacinth. Dad never had this medal.
How can I find out if he is entitled to it?.Would medals of this category be automatically processed by the Hyacinth for all the ships personnel or was it up to the individual to claim?
Assuming that the entittlement is there, can I as his son & next of kin claim it for him on his behalf?
I am interested in following all this up & hoping that you can help in this matter.
I live in Australia & I did get to the P.R.O.in London about 12 years ago, it was well worth the effort. I am that much older now & do not take Kindly to air travel any more.
Thank you. Regards David.
having recently
According to my records and I always stand to be corrected as there are better informed people on this Forum than me for information Hyacynth was not deployed to the Gulf region during the time your Father joined the ship so therefore there would be no qualification period for him to receive the GSM
Have a read of this it may well help you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hyacinth_(1898)#Pre_1914
Hello David
Sorry I haven't had much time lately to visit this Forum and I am just catching up.
Re your father's service on HMS Hyacinth, the qualifying periods for that ship for the Persian Gulf were:
23rd Jan 1910 - 26th Feb 1910
7th Mar 1910 - 17th Mar 1910
27th Nov 1910 - 17th Jan 1911
Compared with other ships, Hyacinth spent a relatively small amount of time in this theatre. The number of medals authorised for the ship was 435 of which a number were returned (ie recipient had left the service or whatever) so the final number issued was just under 400. This is about one whole crews worth (complement was up to 450).
So given the date of his service on HMS Hyacinth, your father would unfortunately definitely not have qualified for the medal.
In answer to another point, if he were eligible, it would still be technically possible for his surviving Next of Kin to claim it. But I'm not aware of anyone claiming a NGS for Persian Gulf in recent times. I think they would struggle anyway to actually produce a medal as although they will have a die for the reverse, the George V Admiral's Bust obverse might cause some problems plus of course finding a Persian Gulf 1909-1914 bar.
Odin....Slightly off topic but I was wondering if you could possibly answer a question for me?
How would you find out a Navy Wren's war service service record?
Do you need a service number?
Would they qualify for WW2 medals?
Thanks Mel.
Not sure if any Wrens Records have been released yet. I've never tried to locate any. Navy records only appear to go to the late 1920s and so WWII records aren't around yet (except some Merchant Navy). But the Service Number does make life much easier as it is unique to the individual.
With regard to WWII, I would have thought that the vast majority of Wrens served in the UK and did not go overseas (but there are some exceptions). They would definitely qualify for the 1939-45 War Medal if they served at least 28 days and also the Defence Medal if they did a total of 3 years or more in the UK.
We had a mini-exhibition at our local medal club last week and I picked as my topic to make up a display of Persian Gulf medals to Armed Launches.
Since it fits well with this thread, I thought I would post some pictures of my display here. There is an overall view of the display plus three photos of it broken down into smaller panels to make reading it easier.
astraltrader
17-09-2008, 15:41
A good collection Odin. A real credit to you.
yes, very interesting for me as well as I have been delving into the history of HMS Karanja and CPO Ben Ellis who served in this theatre as listed in your display.
I purchased a really nice group including an NGS for Persian Gulf at the weekend.
William Ernest Bailey was born in Oct 1881 and was a Farm Boy in Sussex before joining the Navy in 1897 as a Boy 2nd Class. He served through to Oct 1921 when he was pensioned, his rank then was Chief Petty Officer.
His full medal entitlement is:
Africa General Service Medal bar Somaliland 1908-10 (HMS Philomel)
Naval General Service Medal bar Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (HMS Tamil)
1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (HMS Hampshire)
Bailey was awarded his NGS for service on HMS Tamil - there were only 17 medals awarded to the RN/RM for service on the Armed Launch HMS Tamil. He was serving on HMS Hampshire when awarded his LS&GC and left the ship only months before it struck a mine and sank with almost all the crew being lost, plus a VIP passenger Field Marshall Lord Kitchener.
james_harvey
04-08-2009, 16:44
Hi I have the roll of the NGS medal if any one wants a look up.
Regards
james
Kevin123
04-08-2009, 19:57
Hello James, is my grandad somewhere on there. He was William Goulding, service no- J5417. Thanks Kevin.
james_harvey
05-08-2009, 16:32
Hi kevin
do you have the ships name, as the list is arranged by ship order.
regards
James
james_harvey
05-08-2009, 19:20
Hi Kevin
found him
HMS Prosperine as a AB. I checked the roll for the africa GSM for Somalia 08-10 as HMS Prosperine was also sent there but he was not one of the ones who received both,
James
Kevin123
05-08-2009, 21:29
Thanks James, I appreciate that. Kevin.
Kevin123
09-09-2009, 14:44
I've bought an original miniture RNGS medal with Persian gulf bar 1909-14, and was wondering if these were issued with the main medal or bought separately by the serviceman. Kevin.
No the minatures would have been bought privately by the servicemen. I doubt many ratings would have bothered with minatures as they had no real need to wear them.
I bought a nice NGS Persian Gulf to a Clerk RN (= midshipman paymaster branch) who went on to be Paymaster Lt Cdr. His medal was in a nice fitted case (obviously bought later) with a small hidden compatment underneath the centre for a minature - sadly that was empty.
Nice minature to find though Kevin
Kevin123
09-09-2009, 17:51
Thanks Odin, Although the one I've bought is an original, the name has been taken off. The rim around the bottom is a bit thinner then around the top. I've seen a few in museums but I havn't seen any full sized ones for sale yet. Kevin.
james_harvey
10-09-2009, 15:59
kevin
Minatures were never named. Only the full size ones were.
Regards
james
kevin
Minatures were never named. Only the full size ones were.
Regards
james
Hello James,
Not strictly true. MIniatures were not officially named but, particularly in the Victorian era, recipents did, on occasion, have them privately named.
I have enough in my collection to establish private naming as uncommon and mainly done by officers but named minatures certainly do exist and command a premium price.
Cheers
Tim
in Sunny Sydney
Whilst you may be correct Tim in saying that named minatures command a premium price I personally am very wary when offered them at inflated prices. No problem if a minature comes with its full size counterpart but on its own it becomes a bit of a lottery. At least with a full size medal you can learn how the medal should be named and use that as a comparison. With a minature there would be no reference style and therefore possible concern it has been done 'more recently'.
As an example I was offered a named minature for a Met Police Coronation Medal 1902 for a PC in 5th Div (Pembroke Dockyard). I've never seen a named minature of this particular medal and then the first one that turns up happens to be for the scarcest by far division (around 16,700 medals were issued but there were only 43 officers in that division in 1902). In addition it was named to a PC - I ask myself when or why is a PC in the 1900s likely to wear a minature? Perhaps pure coincidence or more likely a crafty collector looking to make a quick buck.
Hi, you may find thes of intrest.
1/ASHMORE. Frederick George, 136478 Able Seaman
Queen’s South Africa no bar H.M.S. Forte (415 no bar medals to Ship)
Africa General Service bar 'Somaliland 1908-10 H.M.S. Hyacinth. (513 Bars to Ship)
Naval General Service bar 'Persian Gulf 1909-1914'H.M.S. Hyacinth. (396 Medals/Bars to Ship)
Frederick George Ashmore was born in Little Warley Essex on the 30th December 1870, he was a “Shoemaker” by trade and joined the Royal Navy on the 24th February 1886 as a Boy 2nd Class, he retired 19th May 1911 and was recalled for service in WW1 on the 2nd August 1914, being demobbed on 21st May 1919.
Boy 2nd. Class, 24th. Feb. 1886 HMS St. Vincent, (Boys training ship at Portsmouth).
Boy 1st. Class, 20th April 1887 HMS ST. Vincent,
Joined HMS Monarch (the first seagoing turret ship of 1868) in the Channel Squadron, from 26th May 1888 until 13th May 1890
Ord. Seaman, 30th Dec. 1888 HMS Monarch,
14th May 1890 Joined HMS Wildfire a Steam Yacht Tender (ex Hiawatha) the Flagship to Commander-in-Chief The Nore until 23rd March 1891
24th March 1891 joined HMS Katoomba (a Pearl Class cruiser ex-Pandora of 1889. Paid for by Australia on the understanding that they were to be stationed in Australian waters.) served until 30th April 1894.
Able Seaman, 12th. Nov. 1892 HMS Katoomba.
1st May 1894 to 23rd October 1894. Two short periods on HMS Crescent and HMS Pembroke.
24th October 1894 joined HMS Wildfire (again) then back to Pembroke I
19th September 1895 joined HMS Galatea (an Orlando class Armoured Cruiser of 1887) with the Coast Guard based at Hull.
7th September 1896 joined HMS Repulse (A Royal Sovereign-class battleship of 1892) in the Channel Squadron until 9th January 1899.
8th November 1898 spent 14 days in the cells
10th January 1899 joined HMS Pembroke
20th April 1899 joined HMS Forte (an Astraea 2nd class Cruiser of 1893) for service in South Africa. In 1900 it was claimed that the Boer’s intended to blow up the Forte. This caused the ship to anchor some miles out at sea each night to foil any attempted attack.
10th February 1901 joined HMS Thrush, then Doris and Pembroke for short spells until 16th May 1901 when he went to shore as his Contracted Service expired.
16th July 1901 back to HMS Pembroke
18th September 1901 joined HMS Wildfire, then Pembroke and Severn.
11th February 1903 joined HMS Mersey (a 2nd class cruiser of 1885)
3rd November spent 10 days in the cells
26th January 1904 joined HMS Juno (an Eclipse-class cruiser of 1895) in the Channel Fleet.
6th September 1904 spent 10 days in the cells
26th December 1904 spent 7 days in the cells (I trust he had a good Christmas)
6th January 1905 joined HMS Pembroke, then King Alfred and Pembroke I again.
15th July 1905 joined HMS Antrim (a Devonshire Class cruiser of 1903) in the 1st Cruiser Squadron of the Channel Fleet, she then moved to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron.
24th August 1906 spent 5 days in the cells
20th June 1907 joined HMS Pembroke I
29th November 1907 joined HMS Endymion (Edgar Class of Large Cruiser of 1891)
10th February 1909 joined HMS Pembroke I, then Royal Arthur.
27th March 1909 joined HMS Hyacinth (a Highflyer class cruiser of 1898)
17th April 1909 spent 7 days in the cells
10th December 1909 spent 5 days in the cells
14th May 1911 joined HMS Pembroke I
19th June 1911 Pensioned to shore
Recalled to HMS Pembroke I on the 2nd. Aug. 1914 and continued at various Chatham bases until 25th August 1916 when he joined HMS Crescent (a submarine depot ship attached to the Grand Fleet).
Demobbed , 21st May 1919.
During his Service he spent a total of 68 days in seven separate periods in the Cells
I Assume that his World War I service would only entitle him to the War Medal
2/ SCOURFIELD. William, 177592 Chief Petty Officer
Africa General Service Medal bar “Somaliland 1908-10” HMS Fox. (336 medals to Ship)
Naval General Service Medal bar “Persian Gulf 1909-1914” HMS Fox. (954 Medals to Ship)
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Ed.VIIth. “HMS Fox” Awarded in 1910
1914/18 War Medal
Born 3rd. June. 1877. Carew, Pembrokeshire. Occupation – Farm Labourer.
His papers also state that the tips of the 2nd and 3rd finger on his right hand were amputated but it does not say when (I am inclined to think this happened while he was a farm labourer and that may be why he went to sea)
Joined the Navy 22nd. November 1893 as a Boy 2nd. Class HMS Impregnable (Devonport Training Ship)
Boy 1st. Class. 1st October 1894. HMS Boscawen. (Portland Training Ship)
Ordinary Seaman. 5th. June 1895. HMS Devastation. (a Turret Ship of 1871)
After service on six ships in his first three years, Joined HMS Calypso 19th April 1895 a third class cruiser of 1883, part of the Sail Training Squadron. In 1895 the ship was part of the squadron which conducted surveys well above the Arctic Circle.
Able Seaman. 19th. April 1896. HMS Calypso. (a Corvette of 1883).
From May 1896 to May 1898 another nine ships (from July 1897 until February 1900 all his service is with various ships of the Pacific Squadron, HMS Leander, Imperieuse twice, Phaeton twice, Egeria twice and Amphion twice).
Joined HMS Amphion for the last time on 20th May 1898, a Leander class Cruiser of 1883 (Captain Frank Finnis) in the Pacific, returning home 18 February 1900.
From 18th February 1900 to 16th December 1901 short spells on six ships mainly depot. And Training establishments.
Leading Seaman. 16th. August 1900. HMS Defiance. (The Torpedo School at Devonport)
Joined HMS Rainbow (a Apollo Class Cruiser of 1891) 17th December 1901. In the Royal Review of 1902 and service in the Mediterranean Fleet.
Petty Officer 2nd. Class. 11th. December 1902. HMS Rainbow.
Joined the newly completed HMS Donegal 5th November 1903 (a 1902 Armoured Cruiser of the Monmouth Class). For Commissioning ?
Petty Officer 1st. Class. 5th. April 1904. HMS Donegal. (an Armoured Cruiser of 1902)
Then Vivid and Defiance until on the 9th June 1904 he Joined HMS Minerva a1895 2nd class cruiser of the Eclipse Class. Attached Mediterranean Battle Squadron.
Joined HMS Defiance 11th September 1906 until 1908
Joined HMS Fox an Astraea class Cruiser of 1896 on 16th May 1908. Leving Devonport in June 1908 to relieve light cruiser "Highflyer" in East Indies.
HMS Fox; employed blockading Warsangli coast, Somaliland, from 09.1908-02.1909, and afterwards in suppression of arms traffic in the Persian Gulf 1909-1910, during which time four dhows were captured; landed for the occupation of Bushire during April & May 1909, when 120 men were landed for the protection of life, the Residency and Custom-House being occupied; officers and men received thanks of Foreign Office for services in connection with occupation of Bushire, and of Colonial Office for services in Somaliland.
Recommissioned at Muscat in July 1910.
Joined HMS Gibraltar 14th July 1910 (for his return to England?)
Joined HMS Defiance 1st September 1910, then Ramillies (the old pre-dreadnought battleship) on 15th December.
Joined HMS Vivid II (Devonport Base?) on 26th January 1911 (Instructor?)
Joined HMS Royal Arthur an Edgar class Cruiser of 1891 on 12th February 1913 (his voyage to Hong Kong?).
1st April 1913 Joined HMS Tamar (Hong Kong naval base)
Acting Chief Petty Officer 1st September 1915
Joined HMS Defiance 15th May 1916 as Chief Petty Officer
Joined HMS Vivid 20th February 1917 until 21st August 1919 when he was demobbed.
Qualified as a Seaman Gunner 1st Class and held the sub-rating of LTO (Leading Torpedo Operator)
Two nice groups - thanks for posting. I think the combination of the QSA, AGS and NGS must be quite scarce. Quite a few got the AGS and NGS as several of the ships were involved in both campaigns. I doubt many qualified for the QSA as well.
Re Ashmore's early WWI service - yes that would only qualify for the BWM. Not sure if his later time on Crescent might also have earned him a Victory Medal.
latefortea
08-09-2010, 09:39
My grand father received both the Somaliland 1908-1910 & Persian Gulf 1909-1914 whilst serving on the HMS Hyacinth (he was on some of the other ships as well but the medals say HMS Hyacinth). Can anyone tell me what the Good Conduct ones looked like (not long service though) his record has "On Anfr" "1" & "30 06 1916" "2nd" "Granted" under Good Conduct Medal but there is nothing with his medals. Also he received 1914/15/16/17 Chevrons, is it possible to find a picture of them.
Thank you
There are probably several thread on this forum with photos of good conduct stripes. There are some in this on:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2416
And here is a bit about the war chevrons with a photograph (scroll down the page a bit)
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=77941
arnold melhuish
17-02-2011, 20:48
I noticed this new section had been included recently. So after my article on the campaign I thought I would post photos of my collection of Naval General Service Medals for this campaign.
Up until the First World War, the campaign medals awarded to the Royal Navy had the name of the recipient’s ship shown on the rim of the medal. This practice ceased for campaign medals but was continued for Navy Long Service Medals up until the earlier 1980s. It was however revived briefly for the South Atlantic (Falklands) Campaign in 1982. The inclusion of the ship name is one feature that attracted me towards collecting the NGS Medal for Persian Gulf, particularly as medals to some of the smaller ships are not common. In all about 7,200 medals were issued, compared to around 16,700 medals to the RN and RM for the Falklands. Yet the NGS can still be found for about a third of the price of the South Atlantic Medal. Another factor is that the NGS is a silver medal (SAM is cupro nickel) and has a very attractive design on both the obverse and reverse. Plus the added bonus is that the service papers for many of the recipients of the NGS are available at the National Archives and many can be purchased on-line.
You may notice that a lot of the medals appear as singles or part groups, with other medals missing. These are mainly the First World War Medals as many recipients went on to serve in WWI. However as several of the medals to the smaller ships and launches are seldom seen for sale, I naturally preferred to buy an incomplete group when it came along, rather than miss the opportunity to buy a medal to that ship. For other medals in the groups, instead of identifying all the medals, I have included a simple ribbon chart below.
I have service papers for virtually all the recipients of these medals. Many have very interesting stories that would take pages to unravel in full. They include one man who deserted towards the end of WWI and was never caught and punished; the Navy decided they didn’t want him anymore in 1942! Another man was sentenced to 14 days for skulking, presumably not performing his work properly. One was promoted to Warrant Officer and then court marshalled twice, caused through his excessive drinking. One man volunteered for the Submarine Service only to lose his life in the tragic accidental sinking of Sub E41. Two of them resigned from the Royal Navy as ABs and appeared as Gunners (Warrant Officers) in the Royal Indian Marine the following day. One man worked his way up through the ranks and finished as a Lt Cdr on the retired list. One of them was even a turner who served on RIMS Minto but came from Karachi Dockyard.
Apart from trying to collect medals to every vessel, I have also tried to collect to a variety of ranks / rates. These include things like Royal Marine Artillery Gunners; the only ship to carry these was the battleship HMS Swiftsure. I haven’t quite got every vessel yet, there are just three armed launches that have evaded me. No doubt examples will turn up at some point.
I will post the photos in batches and give the names of the recipients.
By Arnold Melhuish
My cousin (generation above) served in RIMS Palinurus and was awarded the NGS 1915 with Persian Gulf Clasp 1909 - 1914, which I have together with his WW1 and WW2 medals. He was a Lt RIM and his name and rank and ship's name are engraved on the medal. Palinurus doesn't seem to be mentioned by anybody on this web-site, although lots of other ships are, and I wonder how she was involved. What the ship got up to I have no idea.
Hello Arnold
Since you posted here I see you have found my article on the Campaign in the Persian Gulf which does give Palinurus a brief mention.
If you can let me know your relations surname I should be able to tell you exactly when he served on the ship. I have a copy of the medal roll which shows the dates the RIM men actually served on the ships, so it doubles up as a muster roll. (RN rolls just give the mens names, ranks and numbers). I might also have a little bit of information on him as I have tried to collect as much as I can on the RIM Officers and Warrant Officers who served in this campaign.
Arnold
I think our paths have crossed somewhere else before on another site
Lieut R A Melhuish RIMS Palinurus is shown on the roll as being employed on that ship 15 Sept 1912 - 3rd May 1913.
The name I have for this individual is Robert Aveline Melhuish who served 1906 -1941 and finished as a Captain. His RIM Service Record reference is IOR/L/MIL/16/4/383-84, 387, 391
The Medal Index Card (MIC) for his 1914-5 Star, which contains very little extra information, is on Ancestry.
paulowen
23-07-2011, 21:13
Hi Odin,
I've just been reading your article on the Persian Gulf operation. I have to say what an engrossing and very readable account it was.
What led me to it, however, was a search for more information on a sailor whose AGS(Somaliand 1908-10) I bought for a steal when I was still at school. (It was a fiver from an antique shop in Harlech on a famly holiday; my dad thought the Purple Heart for a tenner was more value and tried to talk me out of it!)
I've got his records from the National Archives and it seems that he had a varied career and seemed to change ships evey month or so from 1908 until the start of the war. My pal, who was a submariner CPO on HMSs Turbulent and Triumph, says that the fact that one of his 'ships'- HMS Mercury- is an onshore signalling school which suggests that he was an instructor.
He was on such a wide variety on ships (Fox, Philomel, Prosperine) during the Persian Gulf operation that I think he may have also gained the NGS with that bar. He must also have been awarded the 1914-15 trio because he was on HMS Supberb at Jutland which suggests the possiblity that this medal was present at the battle.
Would check you this up for me?
His details are;-
Richard Williams 223239
1908 onwards-
Proserpine 22-9-08 to 2-4-10
Philomel 3-4-10 to 15-5-10
Fox 16-5-10 to 14-6-10
Prosperine 15-6-10 to 15-7-10
Thereafter Gibraltar, VIctory 1 and Mercury etc.
I'd be really chuffed it turned it turned out that he was there. If not I can still carry on looking for his other medals on Ebay!
Cheers
Paul
Hello Paul,
Just out of interest, what ship is named on your medal?
Regards Dave
paulowen
25-07-2011, 14:09
Hi David,
It's Proserpine.
Regards
Paul
Thanks, and that is what the ship that his Persian Gulf is also awarded to. Yes he did get one.
On his paperwork does it say anywhere "Traced Medal" and a date? if it does that means that he also received a Long Service and Good Conduct medal.
Regards Dave
paulowen
26-07-2011, 18:20
Hi Dave,
Thanks for that; great news! Does that mean that his NGS is named to Prosperpine as well?
His record sheet does mention 'Medal 22.11.18' with what might be 'TR' before it. Having joined up 30-7-03 that would make 15 years service. I don't know if that would be long enough to earn a LSGC. (I had 21 years in mind.) The date of 22-11-18makes it to early to refer to the Great War medals so maybe this is a LSGC.
He eventually left on 13-6-22 making 18 full years service. I'm sure his conduct wouldn't have been a problem; all reports were VG and he finished up as Petty Officer.
Right, now to start scouring the internet for those missing medals!
Thanks once again
Paul
Yes Paul the NGS would also be named to Prosperpine.
The Long Service and Good Conduct Navy medal was awarded for 15 years very good or better service from the age of 18.
Regards Dave
paulowen
29-07-2011, 13:00
So now he's up to six medals! I wonder if he was involved in the next war. (54 years old at the outbreak.)
I did a display of these medals at the recent Orders and Medals Research Society's Convention. My theme was Armed Launches in the Persian Gulf 1909-1914 and the display included some 10 medals / groups relating to these small vessels. A photo of the finished arrangement is shown below:
You must be very pleased Odin, a really first class display of a great subject.
Very nice to see, thanks.
Regards Dave
Yes I was pleased with the resulting display which seemed to go down well at the Convention.
Although some of the numbers of medals issued to the launches are quite low and the medals could therefore be described as relatively scarce on the market but they are not rare or that expensive. Overall it proved that you can still make an interesting display if you collect enough background information, but it is not essential to have loads of very expensive or rare items.
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