Orders, Decorations and Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (S. Degerdon, A.B., H.M.S. Forte) some contact marks, nearly very fine £120-160

Sidney Richard Degerdon was born in London on 31 December 1877. A Polisher by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 24 February 1894. Serving aboard H.M.S. Forte, November 1895-December 1898, he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in December 1895 and Able Seaman in January 1897. He was promoted to Leading Seaman in December 1900 when at Pembroke, Petty Officer 2nd Class in August 1901 when on Jupiter and Petty Officer 1st Class in February 1903 when at Pembroke. Awarded the Long Service Medal in 1911. Appointed an Acting Chief Petty Officer on Agamemnon in April 1915, he was confirmed in that rank in November 1917 when again at Pembroke. Demobilised in March 1919. With copied service papers and roll extract.