Auction Catalogue
Create new listThe important group of six to Commander Sir C. E. Chadwick-Healey, K.C.B., Bt., a founder figure of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, K.C.B. (Civil) neck badge in silver-gilt, and breast star in silver, gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star Trio (Hon. Commr. Sir C. E. Chadwick-Healey, R.N.R.); Coronation 1911; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Sub Lieut. C. E. H. Chadwyck-Healey, R.N.V.) extremely fine and rare (7)
This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.
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Only 65 R.N.V.R. L.S. & G.C. awarded during the reign of Edward VII.
The man most deserving the title of being the 'Father' of the RNVR was Charles E.H. ChadwickHealey, Q.C - a man dedicated to this cause from the moment he became a Sub-Lieutenant in the RNAV on 11 February 1885 until he relinquished his position as Chairman of the Admiralty Volunteer Committee in 1914 when aged 69 years. Whilst in the RNAV he used his own yacht to provide a training ground for these volunteer enthusiasts, sailing as far as weekend cruises allowed, and within a few years found himself chosen as the most powerful advocate for this reserve force. On 28 June 1889 he presented a paper at the Royal United Service Institution on 'The Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers' to a large audience of navally interested parties, including many senior Admirals - but to no lasting avail since this Reserve was disbanded three years later.
On 9 October 1889 Chadwyck-Healey became an Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Naval Reserve, rising to Honorary Commander RNR in 1904 and Honorary Captain RNR in 1914 - in which rank he commanded the small H.M. Fishing Fleet Hospital Ship QUEEN ALEXANDRA from 1915 to 1918. A somewhat bizarre aspect to the career of a man who had not only been largely responsible for creating the RNVR, but who also continued in a prominent post to mould policy during the formative years of this Reserve Force.
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