Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, 1891-2, Witu August 1893 (J. G. Steed, S.B. Attt., H.M.S. Racer) minor contact marks, very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Medical Services from the Collection of the late Tony Sabell.

View
Collection

John Steed was born in Talland, Cornwall on 23 June 1869. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard Boscawen on 6 April 1885 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in April 1886. He was appointed a Sick Berth Attendant in June 1887 when on the Duke of Wellington. He served on Racer, April 1891-May 1893, seeing service in the Gambia expedition against Chief Cabba and earning the medal with clasp ‘1891-2’. He was advanced to 2nd Sick Berth Steward in April 1892 and next served aboard the Swallow, 1893-95 where he earned his second clasp for the expedition against the Sultan of Witu. Steed was advanced to Sick Berth Steward in April 1896 whilst on board the Victory. He earned his long service medal on 5 September 1902 when on Phaeton. He attained the rank of Chief Sick Berth Steward on 1 April 1903. He then served at the Plymouth Naval Hospital, 1903-07 and was pensioned on 23 June 1909. Steed was mobilised for war on 9 September 1915 and served as Chief Sick Berth Steward on shore until demobilised on 10 March 1919. With copied service details.