Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Leading Seaman F. J. Rickards, Royal Navy, who as a Boy 1st Class served on H.M.S. Chester at the Battle of Jutland

British War and Victory Medals (J.45615 A.B., R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.45615 L.S., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue (J.45615 L.S., H.M.S. Repulse) some with edge bruising, fine and better (lot) £300-400

Francis John Rickards was born in Greenwich, London on 6 January 1899. An Errand Boy by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy on 5 October 1915 as a Boy 2nd Class on Vivid and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in March 1916. On 2 May 1916 he was given his first seagoing posting as a Boy 1st Class aboard the light cruiser Chester. As such he served on board the ship at the battle of Jutland, 30 May/1 June 1916. The ship, being part of the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron was heavily hit during the battle and suffered 35 officers and men killed and 42 wounded. Amongst those fatally wounded was Boy 1st Class John Travers Cornwell, R.N. who was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross. Rickards was fortunate to survive unscathed and was promoted to Ordinary Seaman whilst on the ship in January 1917 and Able Seaman on the same vessel on October 1917. He remained on the Chester until the end of the war. He was promoted to Leading Seaman in March 1925 when on the battlecruiser Repulse and when on the same ship in 1932 was awarded the Long Service medal. He was pensioned ashore in January 1939 but was recalled to duty in June 1939. As a Leading Seaman he served throughout the war, including service on the battleship Anson, April 1942-May 1944. In October 1945 he was released from active service.

With parchment Certificate of Service; Gunnery History Sheet; Record of Examinations in Gunnery Sheet; Order for Release from Naval Service; W.W.2 medals card forwarding box with slip; and a large quantity of photographs - featuring the recipient, his family and friends and ships.