Orders, Decorations and Medals

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. J. C. Powles, R.N., H.M.S. Cossack) good very fine £260-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for the Somaliland 1902-1904 to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

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John Copley Powles was born at Bogata in November 1875 and entered the Royal Navy as Cadet in Britannia in July 1889. Advanced to Midshipman in December 1891 and to Lieutenant in December 1897, he went on to witness active service in the Somaliland operations of 1902-04 in H.M.S. Cossack. Sadly, however, his heavy drinking habit and gambling debts were catching up with him, their Lordships stating their displeasure to such shortcomings on more than one occasion. Powles was, however, advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in December 1905, but in February 1909, following a visit to the R.N. Hospital Haslar, he was discharged as unfit for further service as a result of alcoholism.

Powles, who settled in British Columbia, appears to have applied for a commission in the Army in late 1915, although the outcome of his application remains unknown. He died in September 1939, possibly having served as a Magistrate in British Columbia in the interim. Sold with copied service paper.