Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Warrant Officer Class 1 E. A. Coates, Royal Air Force, late Royal Navy and Royal Naval Air Service

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (237750 E. A. Coates, Ord., H.M.S. Fox); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (237750 E. A. Coates, A.B., H.M.S. Fox); 1914-15 Star (237750 E. A. Coates, L.M., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (237750 E. A. Coates, P.O.M., R.N.); Victory Medal 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf (314154 F. Sergt. E. A. Coates, R.A.F.), as issued by the Air Ministry; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (314154 F./Sgt. E. A. Coates, R.A.F.), contact marks and polishes, thus fine or better (6) £500-600

Edwin Allen “Ginger” Coates was born in St. Helen’s, Lancashire and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in November 1906. During his subsequent time aboard H.M.S. Fox in the period June 1908 to July 1910, he witnessed active service off Somaliland (Medal & clasp), and in the Persian Gulf (Medal & clasp), and was advanced to Able Seaman during the latter operations.

Having then purchased his discharge in July 1911, he rejoined in December 1912, an early appointment being aboard the experimental seaplane carrier Hermes. Appointed an Air Mechanic 1st Class on the eve of hostilities, he went on to serve at R.N.A.S. Eastchurch and R.N.A.S. Felixstowe, at which latter establishment he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 1 May 1918, refers), the original recommendation stating:

‘He has been leading hand of the working parties on this station, and it is largely due to his skill that we have had such few accidents in handling Large American Seaplanes, sometimes under very difficult circumstances.’

Interestingly, the same recommendation lists his rate as Petty Officer (Gun Layer), and by way of evidence of this sub-rating, he is recorded as having taken part in a coastal patrol in a Large American Seaplane on 21 April 1917, with Flight Commanders A. O. Cooper and P. L. Holmes upfront. Indeed he appears to have been a popular character in the world of naval aviation, a feature in The Wing of 5 August 1916 including his portrait photograph and praise for his work as “The Baby’s Bosun”.

Advanced to Petty Officer Mechanic, Coates transferred to the newly established Royal Air Force in April 1918, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in April 1926; sold with copied research.