Auction Catalogue

15 December 2011

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 967

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15 December 2011

Hammer Price:
£390

Four: Stoker Petty Officer J. F. Driver, Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy

1914-15 Star (O.N.304070 Sto. P.O.); British War and Victory Medals (304070 S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7725 Sto. P.O.) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine, scarce (4) £150-200

James Frederick Driver was born in Ryde on the Isle of Wight on 18 April 1883. A Labourer by occupation he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 15 May 1903. He was promoted to Stoker in May 1904 when serving on Excellent; to Stoker 1st Class in July 1906 when on Surprise; Acting Leading Stoker in March 1911 on Achilles; and Leading Stoker in November 1911 when on Fisgard. Driver transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in January 1913 and served on the battle cruiser Australia, June-December 1913, being promoted to Stoker Petty Officer whilst on the ship in December 1913. His next posting was on the light cruiser H.M.A.S. Pioneer on which he served during the early years of the Great War, December 1913-November 1916. During this period the cruiser captured two German merchant ships, took part in the blockage of the German light cruiser Königsberg in the Rufiji River and took part in the bombardment of Tanga and Dar-es-Salaam. Driver returned to Australia aboard the Pioneer in November 1916 when the ship was paid off as being too old and decrepit for further service - having actually seen more combat service than any other R.A.N. warship. Driver then served on Tingira, November 1916-May 1917, followed soon after by service on the light cruiser Brisbane, July 1917-December 1918. In May 1918 he was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. In January 1919 Driver re-engaged for a further five years service in the Royal Australian Navy and served on H.M.A. Ships Sydney and Penguin.

Just over 1000 G.V.R. issue Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. Medals awarded to the Royal Australian Navy. With copied R.N. and R.A.N. service papers.