Four: Lieutenant J. D. Cleall, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Bosn., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. Bosn., R.N.); French Colonial, Order of the Black Star of Benin, 5th Class breast badge, silver and enamel, mounted for wear, good very fine and better (4) £180-220

Joseph David Cleall was born in Portland, Dorset, on 12 June 1872. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 1 August 1888 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in August 1889. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in June 1890 when on Trafalgar and to Able Seaman in December 1891 when again on that ship. Further promotion followed, being advanced to Leading Seaman in July 1897 when at Victory III, to Petty Officer 2nd Class in October 1899 when on Royal Sovereign and to Petty Officer 1st Class in July 1901 when on Resolution. Cleall was promoted to Acting Boatswain in July 1902, was confirmed in that rank in August 1902 and was promoted to Chief Boatswain in August 1917. Served on the battleship Hercules, August 1913-August 1916. The award of the Order of the Black Star of Benin listed in the October 1919 Navy List. He retired as a Lieutenant in August 1922 and last appeared on the Retired List in the Navy List of January 1933. With copied rating’s service paper and some other copied research.