British Campaign and Gallantry Medals

Three: Marine Loftus George Care, Royal Marines

British War and Victory Medals (Ch.20570 Pte., R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (Ch.24368 Mne., R.M.) contact marks, fine (lot) £100-140

Loftus George Care was born in Folkestone, Kent, on 15 October 1897. A Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Marines on 29 February 1916. After a period at Deal, he served at Chatham, October 1916-February 1917, after which he served on Ophir, February-March 1917; King Alfred, March-June 1917, and Bacchante, June 1917-January 1919. Marine Care was discharged in April 1922 and was enrolled into the Chatham Division R.F.R.

Care re-enlisted into the Royal Marines in May 1924. As a Marine he saw sea service aboard the Ramillies, September 1929-August 1932; Frobisher, October 1932-January 1936, and Cumberland, July 1936-March 1939. He was awarded the Long Service medal with a gratuity of £20 in 1933. He was discharged on 19 April 1939 on the termination of his second period of service and pensioned.

His retirement was of short duration and in September 1939 he returned to service with the Royal Marines. He was borne on the books of President III, October 1939-May 1941, being employed on Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS); and was with the Chatham Division, May 1941-October 1944, and at Royal Arthur (Skegness), October-April 1945.

With original Certificate of Service, 1916-24; Certificate of Discharge, 1924; Certificate of Service, 1924-39-45 (damaged); Certificate of Service, 1939; Certificate of Discharge, 1939; Order for Release from Naval Service, 1945; Certificate of Thanks for Service in two World Wars, 17 July 1945; Officer’s Attendant History Sheet; envelope for a certificate of service; W.W.2 medal forwarding slip; two copied group photographs, and with additional research. Also with two R.M. cap badges, a ‘R.M.’ collar title and a ‘DEMS’ cloth patch.