Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman A. Perrett, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (210657 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (201657 A.B., R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (201657 Ch.B.2532 A.B., R.F.R.) note erroneous service number on star; together with a Silver War Badge (RN18273); together with two prize medals: circular, 30 x 26mm., silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1947, obverse inscribed, ‘AP’, reverse inscribed, ‘Wilbraham Association Bowling Competition 1948 Runner-Up A. Perrett’, in case; another, ornate, 43 x 31mm., silver and gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1900, obverse inscribed, ‘Sheridan Cup’, reverse inscribed, ‘Winner A. Perrett 1951’, in case, good very fine and better (lot) £90-120

Arthur Perrett entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on Northampton on 20 October 1898 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in January 1899. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in October 1899 when on Diadem and to Able Seaman in May 1902 when on Argonaut. He served on the latter vessel on the China Station, 19 April 1900-16 February 1904 - serving under Captain George Henry Cherry a noted martinet. As a joke for having to put up with him, his unfortunate junior officers awarded themselves a medal for this onerous service - ‘The Cherry Medal’. Perrett survived the experience and in April 1905 he was discharged and enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve; re-enrolling in 1911. With the onset of war he was mobilised and like many other reservist, he was posted to one of the Royal Navy’s more ancient vessels, serving on the armoured cruiser Bacchante, August-November 1914. The ship formed part of the 7th Cruiser Squadron - known as the ‘Live Bait Squadron’ but unlike her unfortunate sisters Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue, survived the war. Perrett’s war ended in 9 February 1916 when he was discharged having accidentally damaged his hand. With copied service paper; a ‘Don’t be Vague Haig’ line holder; a R.A.M.C. cap badge and sundry ribbon.