The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Five: The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 1st type; South Africa 1877-79, clasp, 1877-8-9 (E. Duffett, Ldg. Sean., H.M.S. Active) naming impressed in a slightly later style; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (E. Duffett, Gunr. R.N., H.M.S. Cygnet); British War Medal (Lieut., R.N.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, very light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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120 clasps to the ship. Duplicate medal and clasp issued on 16 February 1887.
Edward Duffett served very nearly fifty years in the Royal Navy, commencing his time as a Boy 2nd Class in 1870 and ultimately receiving the O.B.E. as a Lieutenant Commander on 1st April 1919. Born in Portsea, Hants on 3 September 1855 he joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class board H.M.S. INCONSTANT on 13 April 1870. Advanced to Able Seaman in June 1875 and drafted to H.M.S. ACTIVE on 15 April 1877, rising to Leading Seaman in April 1878 and to Petty Officer 2nd Class in April 1879 with immediate advancement to P.O. 1st Class one month later. He was awarded his LS & GC medal on 1 November 1883 as a P.O. 1st Class aboard H.M.S. NEPTUNE just two months prior to his promotion to Gunner R.N. on 4 January 1884, when he was appointed to H.M.S. CYGNET for her commission ending on 15 March 1887. Subsequently served as a Gunner R.N. aboard H.M. Ships CYGNET (1884-87), ST VINCENT (1887-90), GANNET (1890-94), EXCELLENT (1894-1900), TAMAR (1900-02) and received promotion to Chief Gunner R.N. on 1 April 1903. Served on books of PRESIDENT (1906-08) and was commissioned as a Lieutenant R.N. on t October 1908. When due to be placed on the Retired List on reaching the age of 55 years in September 1910 he received special dispensation, retaining employment in the Recruiting Service since he was “ very largely responsible for working up the recruiting in his District”, serving on the books of H.M.S. PEMBROKE from April 1911 to cessation of hostilities for duties with the East London Recruiting District. He received promotion to Lieutenant Commander on 1 October 1916, and was awarded the O.B.E. on 1 April l919. Reverted to the Retired List on 1 January 1920, dying on 26 February 1942 from chronic bronchitis aged 86 years.