An unusual group of three: Boy Telegraphist J. B. Basebe, Royal Navy, late an Orderly with the Society of Friends (Quakers) Ambulance Unit at Dunkirk as a 13 year old Boy Scout

1914-15 Star (J. B. Basebe, B.R.C. & St. J.J.); British War and Victory Medals (J.67967 J. B. Basebe, B. Tel., R.N.); St. John Ambulance F.A.U. (Field Ambulance Unit) Dunkirk Medal 1914-15, silver, hallmarks for London 1913, reverse inscribed, ‘Scout J. B. Basebe’; British Red Cross Society Medal, gilt and enamel, reverse inscribed, ‘3531 John B. Basibe (sic)’, last with minor enamel damage, others with contact marks, nearly very fine (5) £300-350

John Bertram Basebe was born in Hereford on 7 July 1901. He was still at school when the Great War began and yet, on 6 June 1915, several weeks before his 14th birthday, he was in France serving as an Orderly with the Society of Friends (Quakers) Ambulance Unit at Dunkirk in the Queen Alexandra Hospital. For his services he was awarded a special medal for his services, named to him as a Scout. He was also awarded the 1914-15 Star for his services with the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John. Listed in For Dauntless France as a British subject on Red Cross work index and in the British Red Cross Register as a ‘Scout’.

On 10 February 1917 he volunteered for the Royal Navy, giving his occupation as Motor Apprentice & Boy Scout. Serving on Ganges, he was originally ranked as a Boy 2nd Class, being appointed a Boy Telegraphist in June 1917. As such he served on the battleships Albion, November 1917-March 1918; Benbow, March-April 1918; and Albion, April-October 1918. Promoted to Ordinary Telegraphist in July 1919 when at Vivid I and Telegraphist in April 1920 when on the battlecruiser Hood. Basebe took his discharge from the Royal Navy in June 1922. With copied research.