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

Three: East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1891-2 (W. C. Browning, A.B., H.M.S. Racer); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (136960 P-O: W.C. Browning, H.M.S. Monarch); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (W. C. Browning, Act. C.P.O., H.M.S. Medea) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine and scarce (3)

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

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Collection

A total of 63 Queen’s South Africa medals issued to the Royal Navy with 6 clasps.

William Charles Browning was born in the village of Crewkerne, Somerset, on 2 January 1871. He earned his living as a labourer prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE when aged 15 years, and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 20 April 1887. He joined AGINCOURT November 1889 and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 2 January 1889. He served next aboard ROYAL ADELAIDE (May 1889), and ACTIVE (November 1889) being advanced to Able Seaman whilst in this ship on 21 February 1890. He next joined CAMBRIDGE (June 1890), RACER (April 1891), and was advanced to Leading Seaman on 6 June 1893. Whilst aboard RACER he was landed to take part in the Expedition against chief Fodeh Cabbah, earning the East & West Africa Medal with clasp ‘1891-2’. He subsequently served aboard the following ships: VIVID I (September 1894), CAMBRIDGE (November 1894), DEFIANCE (December 1894), and VIVID I (October 1895). Whilst aboard VIVID I he was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 5 November 1895 and served next aboard VIVID III (January 1897), VIVID I (February 1897), and was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 17 March 1897. He served in this rate aboard EDGAR (March 1897), DEFIANCE (July 1897), VIVID I (July 1897), and MONARCH (July 1897).

Whilst aboard MONARCH he was landed in South Africa and saw extensive service ashore with the Naval Brigade resulting in the award of the Queen's South Africa medal with six clasps (47 Medals with this clasp combination awarded to the Royal Navy). He next joined DEFIANCE (October 1900), CAMBRIDGE (March 1901), DEFIANCE (May 1901), VIVID I (June 1901), and MEDEA (April 1902). Whilst aboard the latter ship he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 1 April 1904, and received his L.S. & G.C. medal. He served next aboard VIVID (October 1904), DEFIANCE (October 1904), VIVID II (November 1904), GOLDFINCH (February 1905), VIVID I (October 1906), DEFIANCE (August 1908), and VIVID I (November 1908). He was invalided to shore on 4 February 1909 suffering from mental deficiency having served 26 years adult service. His name was put forward in 1910 to receive financial assistance from the Royal Patriotic Fund.