Orders, Decorations and Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Gambia 1894 (J. Bennett, P.O.2Cl., H.M.S. Raleigh) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £400-500

Joshua Heath Bennett was born in Polkerris, Cornwall. A mariner by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in March 1890. Posted to the Raleigh in January 1892, he was advanced to Leading Seaman in April 1893 and Petty Officer 2nd Class in February 1894. In February/March 1894 he served in the Gambia Expedition and received a wound to the hip in the action at Madini Creek, 22 February. Bennett was promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class in January 1895 when based at Vivid I. He transferred to the Coastguard in December 1900 becoming a Leading Boatman, and joined the R.F.R. in November 1913. Recalled for service in the Great War, he served as Petty Officer 1st Class on the old battleship Goliath, August 1914-May 1915. The Goliath served in operations against the Konigsberg in the Rufigi River during November 1914. Then despatched to the Mediterranean, the ship formed part of the allied fleet operating in the Dardanelles. On the night of 12/13 May 1915 the ship was stationed in Morto Bay off Cape Helles when she was torpedoed by the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet-i-Millieh. Struck by three torpedoes the Goliath capsized almost immediately, taking about 570 of the 750 strong crew to the bottom. Lucky to survive the disaster, Bennett served out the remainder of the war at various shore bases. Sold with copied service papers, extracts from the London Gazette re. the Gambia Expedition and other research.