The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (J. H. Baker, Lg. Smn., H.M.S. Cossack) very fine

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

View
Collection

John Baker was born in St Helier, Jersey, on 22 December 1864. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. BOSCAWEN on 10 March 1880, and whilst aboard IMPLACABLE for a few months was advanced to Boy 1st Class in April 1881. He subsequently served aboard H.M. Ships PENELOPE (1882-83) where he was advanced to Ord in December 1882, OPAL (1883-86) where he was made an A.B. in January 1885, COSSACK (1 January 1889 to 14 April 1892), where he was advanced to Leading Seaman during August 1889, and to Petty Officer 2nd Class during November 1890. Whilst in Cossack he earned his African award as a member of the ship's Naval Brigade sent to punish Chief Fumo Bakari in October 1890. He next served aboard DEFIANCE (1893-94) and advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class in February 1893, then joined HAZARD (1897-1900), where he achieved the status of Acting Chief Petty Officer during October 1898, and was confirmed in the rate in October 1899. He completed his pensionable time aboard GRASSHOPPER (1901-02) and TEMERAIRE (January to December 1903), having been made a pensioner on 31 December 1902 and reverted from a Chief Petty Officer to Petty Officer 1st Class (Pensioner). He was retained in the service until discharged to shore on 1 May 1905 from VIVID II and was not recalled for service in World War I.