Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Commander J. W. Fairtlough, Royal Navy, who, having been awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Silver Medal in 1906, served in the monitor M. 20 from 1915-18

1914-15 Star (Lt. Cr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr., R.N.), together with his R.N. officer’s cap badge, generally good very fine (4) £200-250

James William Fairtlough was born in Cumbria in December 1874 and was appointed an Acting Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal Navy in October 1895, after brief service as a Midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve. Advanced to Lieutenant in December 1897, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Silver Medal for his ‘gallantry in attempting to save Signalman Wardley on the occasion of the sinking of the Landrail’ off Portland on 4 October 1906.

A Lieutenant-Commander by the outbreak of hostilities, Fairtlough was placed in charge of navigational duties in the minesweepers St. Elvies and Slieve Dearnagh in November 1914, but removed to the monitor M. 20 in June 1915, in which capacity he remained actively employed until July 1918, and was advanced to Acting Commander. An appointment at Pembroke, additional for command of Mona’s Isle, followed in August 1918, prior to him being placed on the Retired List in the rank of Commander in December 1919.