Three: Engine Room Artificer R. R. Bennett, Royal Navy, later Chief Observer, Royal Observer Corps

British War Medal 1914-20 (M33213 R. R. Bennett B. Art. R.N.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, in case of issue (Reginald Rossiter Bennett); Royal Observer Corps Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Chief Observer R. R. Bennett) good very fine and better (3) £120-£160

Reginald Rossiter Bennett was born in Portsmouth on 21 January 1903. During the Great War, he served as a Boy Artificer at the shore establishment H.M.S. Fisgard from 30 July 1918, remaining there until 4 January 1923, having passed his examination as Engine Room Artificer 5th Class, three days earlier. He was discharged from the Royal Navy on 5 April 1923. His Board of Trade Discharge book notes he served as Engine Room Artificer aboard the S.S. Majestic on a voyage from Southampton to New York in May/June 1924. This is his only entry. Bennett joined the Royal Observer Corps on 21 September 1951 and served at 2/M2 Hill Head Post (Winchester Group). He was awarded his Imperial Service Medal in 1967 (London Gazette 4 August 1967: ‘Recorder of Work, Portsmouth’), and retired with the rank of Chief Observer on 31 December 1968.

Sold with Original Royal Navy Certificate of Service; Cadet Discharge; Passing Certificate as Engine Room Artificer 5th Class; Board of Trade Discharge book; White Star Line identification card for S.S. Majestic; and some copy research including photographs of the recipient as an Observer.