Pair: Chief Stoker W. James, Royal Navy

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (175914 Sto: W. James, H.M.S. Powerful) impressed naming; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (175914 William James, Ch. Stoker, H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh.) light contact marks, good very fine (2) £600-£800

William James was born in Shorwell, Isle of Wight, in October 1873 and joined the Royal Navy as Stoker Second Class in September 1893. He was promoted Stoke, serving in H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, in October 1894, before transferring to H.M.S. Powerful in June 1897. He served during the Boer War as part of Powerful’s Naval Brigade that took part in the Defence of Ladysmith, before transferring to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington in June 1900. He was advanced Stoker Petty Officer in July 1906, and transferred in that rate to H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh in April 1908. He was promoted Chief Stoker the following month, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in September 1908.