Four: Lieutenant-Commander A. H. Goatley, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Witu 1890 operations who re-offered his services in the 1939-45 War, aged 73 years

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (A. Goatley, P.O. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Boadicea); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. H. Goatley. R.N.); Coronation 1911, good very fine and better (4) £280-£320

Provenance: Commander Ron Champion Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 20 September 2002.

Anthony Horace Goatley was born in Chelsea, London in July 1867 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in November 1882. Clearly a talented seaman, he gained rapid advancement to Petty Officer 1st Class, joining H.M.S. Boadicea in that rate in April 1888. Subsequently employed in the Witu operations of 1890, he returned home in the following year to Vernon and was commissioned as a Boatswain.

Between then and the outbreak of hostilities, Goatley specialised in torpedoes and at one stage commanded torpedo boat 34, gaining advancement to Chief Boatswain in April 1912. Then in August 1914 he transferred to minesweeping duties, was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1916 and ended the War working for the Anti-Submarine Division.

As evidenced by his service record, the immediate post-war era saw him unsuccessfully recommended ‘for an award in respect of proposals put forward for the protection of ships from mines’, their Lordships opting instead to merely express their appreciation in writing. Placed on the Retired List shortly afterwards, Goatley was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander (Retired) in May 1924. After he retired, he served as a Technical Officer for the Naval Stores Department.

Remarkably, on the renewal of hostilities, he re-offered his services, aged 73 years, an offer which appears to have been provisionally accepted with his appointment as ‘additional for D./G. Clarence Pier’ in May 1940! However, a subsequent note on his records seems to suggest that while his offer was indeed noted, it was ‘not anticipated’ that it would be pursued.