Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (Ply/15768 Pte. A. H. Chaffe, R.M.L.I. “Grafton” Novorossisk 14.10.19.) much bruised and worn, fine only but scarce £280-320

London Gazette 8 March 1920 ‘Honours for services in Russia 1919.’

Novorossisk was an important port on the Black Sea, supplying the British Mission which was aiding General Deniken in South Russia against the Bolsheviks. In October 1919, Deniken was having his greatest successes and on 14 October, the culminating point of his bid to seize Moscow being the capture of the town of Orel on 14 October, less than 250 miles from the capital. It is thought that Private Chaffe was present on detachment with Deniken’s force, hence the recording of this date on his M.S.M. H.M.S. Grafton, a 1st class cruiser of 7,350 tons, is described as a Depot for British ships supporting the White Russians in the Black Sea.

Alfred Henry Chaffe was born on 19 May 1894 in the village of St Andrews near Plymouth, and earned his living as a confectionary packer prior to joining the Royal Marines on 21 August 1912. After recruit training at the Deal Depot he joined his first ship H.M.S. Essex in January 1914. After six months he was transferred to Argonaut in August 1914 and continued to serve in this ship until September 1915. He returned to the Plymouth Division for three months before joining Grafton in October 1917. He was seconded from this ship for six month’s service in H.M.S. Duke (ex-Duke of Devonshire) a hired paddle steamer converted for minesweeping duties, before rejoining Grafton in January 1919. Whilst in Grafton he served with the British Naval Mission in the Black Sea. He joined the 8th Royal Marine Brigade, June 1920 to February 1921, returned to the Plymouth Division in February and joined Carysfort in April, in which ship he served until December 1923. Following a short period back with the Plymouth Division he next joined Frobisher in July 1924, remaining in this ship until February 1928, when he returned to the Plymouth Depot. Joining Renown in May 1929, he continued to serve in this ship until discharged to shore in 1931 having completed 18 years service. He failed to qualify for his L.S. & G.C. medal having on a number of occasions been rated for character as only fair or indifferent. He died on 5 March 1952, aged 67 years.