Six: Chief Stoker H. Harfoot, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin River 1894 (H. Harfoot. Sto., H.M.S. Philomel); China 1900, no clasp (H. Harfoot. Lg. Sto. 2Cl., H.M.S. Aurora); 1914-15 Star (160739, H. Harfoot., Ch. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (160739, H. Harfoot., Ch. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (160739, Henry Harfoot, Ch. Sto, H.M.S. Royal Arthur) contact marks, nearly very fine (6) £500-£700

Henry Harfoot was born on 23 January 1872. A Bargeman from at St Germans, Cornwall, he joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 12 May 1891. Initially serving with H.M.S. Indus, he joined H.M.S. Philomel on 10 November 1891 and served in her during the Benin River Expedition of 1894. Leaving H.M.S. Philomel on 30 November 1894, and with periods at Vivid II, he subsequently served in H.M. Ships Grafton, Auroua (China War), Tamar, Sentinel, Leander, Sutlej, Kent and Royal Arthur, before being pensioned on 20 May 1913. Having joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Devonport on 1 June 1913, on the outbreak of the First World War, Harfoot, who had been rated Chief Stoker in 1910, joined Vivid II briefly, before joining H.M.S. Egmont on 8 October 1914. Serving with the latter until 30 April 1916, he joined H.M.S. Europa II the following day, serving until 9 January 1918. Harfoot’s last postings were Vivid II, 10 January until 2 December 1918, and H.M.S. Spanker until he was finally shore pensioned on 19 May 1919.