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

Pair: East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Gambia 1894 (A. C. Ransom, Asst. Paymr. R.N. H.M.S. Raleigh); China 1900, no clasp (Asst. Paymr. A. C. Ransom, R.N. H.M.S. Rosario) good very fine (2)

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

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Alfred Ransom was born on 22 August 1873, and joined the Royal Navy as an Assistant Clerk on 15 July 1888. He was appointed to his first ship H.M.S. AGINCOURT in August 1888 and whilst in this vessel was promoted to Clerk on 15 July 1889. In this rank he next joined RODNEY (May 1900) and RALEIGH (September 1891). Whilst aboard RALEIGH he was promoted to Assistant Paymaster on 22 August 1892, and served during the Gambia River Expedition, sent to punish the rebellious slave raiding Chief Fodi Silah.

He was subsequently appointed to REVENGE (January 1896), BRITANNIA (July 1897) and ROSARIO (March 1900). He served in the latter ship in Chinese waters from July to December 1900, earning him the 3rd China War medal, and promotion to Paymaster on 22 August 1902. In this rank he was appointed to ANDROMACHE (October 1903), and promoted to Staff Paymaster on 4 August 1906. He proceeded to France in August 1907 to study French and qualified as an interpreter in French in January 1908. He was next appointed to DRAKE (July 1909) and promoted to Fleet Paymaster on 4 August 1910. He joined the Battleship DREADNAUGHT in March 1911and served in this vessel for five years including the war years 1914-16 when DREADNAUGHT served with the Grand Fleet as part of the 4th Battle Squadron. He was appointed to PEMBROKE in June 1916 for duty at the Royal Naval Barracks ‘In charge of victualing, clothing and implement accounts’. With the introduction of new ranks in 1918 he became a Paymaster Commander with seniority of 4 August 1918, and was appointed to PRESIDENT (July 1919) for duty with Accountant Officers Committee, and to PEMBROKE III (July 1920) for duty with Coast Guard Captain, Harwich. He was promoted to Paymaster Captain on 30 June 1923 and joined COLUMBINE (December 1923). Retired after 38 years in uniform on 22 August 1926 with rank of Paymaster Rear Admiral, having been awarded the C.B.E. (Military) in 1925. He died on 28 June 1953.