Five: Petty Officer F. R. Etheridge, Royal Navy, who, having been loaned to the Royal Australian Navy, was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his gallantry aboard the cruiser H.M.A.S. Sydney during her famous clash with the German raider S.M.S. Emden off the Cocos Islands in November 1914

1914-15 Star (207076 F. R. Etheridge, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (207076 F. R. Etheridge, P.O., R.N.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1916, with silver star, together with H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican Dollar dated ‘1894’, mounted by W. Kerr, Sydney, stamp mark to left eagle’s wings, generally very fine or better (5) £1600-1800

Frank Richard Etheridge was born in Brighton in July 1884 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in November 1899. Lent to the Royal Australian Navy in March 1913, he joined the cruiser H.M.A.S. Sydney and was advanced to Petty Officer in May 1914.

Subsequently present at Sydney’s famous encounter with the German raider S.M.S. Emden off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 9 November 1914, Etheridge was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 30 November 1917, refers), the relevant file in T.N.A. stating: ‘For meritorious service in H.M.A.S. Sydney in the action which resulted in the destruction of the German light cruiser Emden.’

Having also served in H.M.A.S. Australia in the period August 1916 to February 1919, he was demobilised from the R.A.N. in the latter year. Returning home, Etheridge enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve and was finally pensioned ashore in June 1921. He died in Horsham, Sussex in 1960, aged 76; sold with a file of copied research.