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Lot

№ 226

.

21 May 2020

Hammer Price:
£260

Four: Petty Officer W. G. Bell, Royal Navy, who was an original member of the Royal New Zealand Navy

1914-15 Star (227186 W. G. Bell, L.S. 1. R.N.; British War and Victory Medals (227186 W. G. Bell, Act. L.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (227186 W. G. Bell, A.B. H.M.S. Antrim) contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £80-£100

William George Bell, a farm boy from Gillingham, Dorset, was born on 23 March 1887. Enlisting in the Royal Navy on 28 July 1903, he signed an agreement to serve in the New Zealand Navy, and was serving in H.M.S. Philomel at the outbreak of the Great War, being present during the campaign in German Samoa in September 1914 and afterwards in the Pacific before returning to the UK in July 1917. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal whilst serving in H.M.S. Antrim on 16 April 1920. Promoted Petty Officer on 1 November 1926, he was shore pensioned on 22 March 1927, and upon recommendation, joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day.