Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 March 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 552

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20 March 2008

Hammer Price:
£580

Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Coinage head (Ch. 885 W. J. Hake, Cr. Sgt. R.M. 11 Jan. 1936) officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine £400-500

Approximately 17 George V Coinage head Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medals were awarded, of which 8 are known.

William John Hake was born on 23 March 1860 at Greenwich, Kent, and enlisted in the Royal Marines on the 26 May 1875, at Chatham, aged 15 years 2 months, as a Drummer. He earned his first Good Conduct Badge in March 1880 and was to earn four more during his service, the last being awarded in March 1899. His record shows Embarked, Time Only from 6 July to 1 August 1881 when he was Paid Off to Flora (Tender) until March 1884, the last period from 28 February 1884 recorded as “Mail Steamer Passage to England”. He was promoted to Sergeant, Chatham Division, in March 1884 and embarked on the Rover in September 1885 until posted to Head Quarters, Chatham, from November 1888 where he was promoted to Colour Sergeant in October 1890. He embarked on St Vincent in November 1892 before returning to Head Quarters, Chatham Division, in November 1894, where he remained until discharged due to length of service on 22nd March 1899. He then enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve until “Completed” in March 1905. He continued to attend Annual Drills until finally discharged on 22 March 1910 “Having attained the age of 50 years”. He married on 29 December 1880, and received his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 25 February 1889.