Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: George A. Foss, Mercantile Marine

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (George A. Foss) nearly extremely fine (2) £40-60

George A. Foss, Mercantile Marine, is believed to have served on the S.S. Orsova. The ocean liner, of 12,026 tons, was built by John Brown & Co., Clydebank in 1909 and was operated by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. on the passenger service between London and Australia. Taken up as a troopship in 1915, she was torpedoed on 14 March 1917 causing her to beach in Cornwall. She was later refloated and repaired and resumed her civilian passenger service duties after the war. It is possible Foss was wounded in the action - in which eight lives were lost.

With facsimile ‘Buckingham Palace’ letter wishing the recipient ‘an early restoration of health’, this in original envelope on which is printed ‘A Message to you from the King’, and is additionally inscribed in ink, ‘Foss. Orsova’.

With some copied research.