A rare ‘Juba River 1893’ group of five awarded to Petty Officer First Class (Leading Boatman) G. A. Clarke, Royal Navy and H.M. Coast Guard

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Witu August 1893, Juba River 1893 (G. A. Clark [sic], A.B., H.M.S. Blanche.); 1914-15 Star145147. G. A. Clarke, P.O.1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (145147 G. A. Clarke. P.O.1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (145147 G. A. Clarke, P.O. 1Cl (Lg. Boatn.) H.M.S. Duncan.); together with a Comrades of the Great War gilt and enamel lapel badge, good very fine, rare (5) £3,000-£4,000

Approximately only 43 ‘Juba River 1894’ clasps issued (with the exception of a few ‘odd men’ all to H.M.S. Blanche), 21 in combination with ‘Witu August 1893’.

George Albert Clarke was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on 5 May 1872, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 11 April 1888, giving his trade as ‘fisher boy’. He served in H.M.S. Blanche from 30 December 1890 to 22 April 1894, being advanced Able Seaman on 1 June 1891, and during this period he served ashore with the Naval Brigade at Witu in August 1893, and with the much smaller Naval Brigade under Lieutenant Lewes, landed at the mouth of the Juba River later the same month. He was promoted Leading Seaman on 3 May 1895; Petty Officer Second Class on 18 October 1896; and Petty Officer First Class on 1 July 1897. He transferred to H.M. Coast Guard as a Boatman on 13 December 1900, and served as various stations in both Ireland an on the east coast of England. Promoted Leading Boatman on 15 July 1908, he was shore pensioned on 16 May 1912.

Clarke was recalled for service on the outbreak of the Great War, and served in H.M.S. Duncan from 20 July 1915 to 10 April 1917, with the remainder of the War being borne on the books of various shore based establishments, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 31 May 1916. He was finally shore demobilised on 3 May 1919. He subsequently became the licensee of the Jolly Anglers Public House at Fritton until his death in 1921.

Sold with copied record of service, medal roll extracts, and other research.