British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Leading Seaman W. Thompson, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (224453 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (224453 L.S., R.N.) very fine (3) £60-80

William Thompson was born in Liverpool on 26 August 1887. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 7 January 1903 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in October the same year. Thompson was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in August 1905 when on the Illustrious, and was advanced to Able Seaman in October 1906 when on the Aboukir. Being pensioned ashore in February 1912, he joined the Chatham R.F.R. in February 1912. Recalled for service in the Great War, he served on Euryalus, August 1914-August 1917, seeing action at the battle of Heligoland Bight, 28 August 1914. After serving at Pembroke, August-October 1917, he was posted to the Manxman in October 1917, attaining the rank of Leading Seaman in April 1918. Leading Seaman Thompson was demobilised on 30 May 1919.

With original R.N. Service Papers; R.F.R. Certificate of Identity; and a (fragmentary) letter confirming service on the Black Prince, 1910-12, signed by ‘H. R. Crooke, Commander’; together with Princess Mary’s Christmas Tin 1914 (empty) and a small group photograph; medals in glass-fronted case.