Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare ‘East Africa’ D.S.C. and life saving group of ten awarded to Lieutenant-Commander W. J. King, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a veteran of the Boer War where he served as an Agent with the Field Intelligence Department

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1900, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Agent, F.I.D.); 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.N.V.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence & War Medals; Royal Humane Society, bronze medal (Successful), (Lieut., R.N.V.R. 10th Dec. 1917) generally very fine or better (10) £1200-1500

D.S.C. London Gazette 15 June 1917: ‘Lieutenant William John King, R.N.V.R. For continuous good service in the operations of the Umba Valley Field Force; also served as Assistant Transport Officer and as Port Captain, Tanga.’

Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal, 14 May 1918 - Case No. 44,042: For saving the life of a Native soldier at 8 p.m. on 10 December 1917 from the Harbour at Lindi, East Africa. ‘The man fell into the water between two lighters in a very dangerous position. Night dark, strong current. Lt King jumped in and managed to get a rope round him and he was pulled out.’

William John King served during the Boer War as an Agent with the Field Intelligence Department. He became Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. on 16 July 1915, and Lieutenant-Commander on 31 August 1939. During the Second World War he served in H.M.S. Sheba, shore base at Aden, August 1939 to August 1941; H.M.S. Euphrates, shore base at Basra, September 1941 to May 1944; H.M.S. Highflyer, shore base at Trincomalee, from May 1944.