Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Stoker Petty Officer T. H. Chitty, Royal Navy, who accidentally drowned on 28 March 1916.

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Sto., H.M.S. Perseus); British War and Victory Medals (292992 S.P.O., R.N.) first with contact marks, good fine; others good very fine (3) £120-160

Thomas Howard Chitty was born in Walworth, London on 29 July 1880. An Auctioneer’s Assistant by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on Pembroke II on 29 August 1899, being advanced to Stoker in August 1901. He served on Perseus, May-July 1902 and qualified for the clasp ‘Somaliland 1902-04’. Promoted to Stoker 1st Class in July 1906 when on Sapphire I; Acting Leading Stoker in December 1911 when on Blenheim; Leading Stoker in June 1912 when at Pembroke II and to Stoker Petty Officer in June 1913 when on Africa. During the war he served on the light cruiser H.M.S. Conquest, June 1915-March 1916. Stoker Petty Officer Chitty died on 28 March 1916 - having drowned as a result of the capsizing of a ship’s cutter in a blizzard. His body was recovered and was buried at St. Mary’s Churchyard, Shotley. With copied service paper and other research. Entitled to the 1914-15 Star.