Five: Stoker Petty Officer Thomas Stevens, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (147192 S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (147192 S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Thomas Stevens, Lg. Sto. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Montagu); Russia, Medal for Zeal, Nicholas II, silver breast medal (147192 T. Stevens, Sto. P.O., H.M.S. Jupiter) on modern St. Stanislaus ribbon, extremely fine (5) £500-600

Thomas Stevens was born on 12 August 1869 at Kingsbridge, Devon. Previously employed as a Dockyard Labourer, he entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on the Indus on 19 May 1888, being advanced to Stoker in January 1890 while on the Himalaya. He was promoted to Leading Stoker 2nd Class when on the Royal Sovereign in April 1899; thence to Leading Stoker 1st Class when based on Vivid II a year later, and he attained the rank of Stoker Petty Officer when based on Vivid I in July 1906. As a Leading Stoker he was awarded the long service medal in January 1904. Stevens was pensioned ashore in December 1910 and in May 1911 joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. Recalled for service in the Great War, he served on the old battleship Jupiter, August 1914-May 1915. It was during the period February-May 1915 that the ship was used as an icebreaker in the White Sea. For their services in keeping the vital seaway open, the officers and crew of the Jupiter were awarded a variety of orders and medals by the grateful Tsar. Stevens continued to serve throughout the war and was demobilised on 11 August 1919. With copied service papers.