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

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Sierra Leone 1898-99 (125473 P-O: 2: Cl: G. Staymaker, H.M.S. Fox) edge bruises, otherwise very fine

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

View
Collection

George Staymaker was born in Carshalton, Surrey, on 23 November 1868 and was a labourer before joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 27 January 1884. He transferred to BOSCAWEN on 9 February 1884 and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 14 January 1885. He next served aboard ORION (July 1885), CRUISER (November 1886) advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 23 November 1886, ALEXANDRA (May 1888) and was advanced to Able Seaman on 1 October 1887. He served in this rate aboard the following ships: DUKE OF WELLINGTON (June 1889), INVINCIBLE (October 1889), EXCELLENT (April 1890), RANGAROOMA (January 1891) being advanced to Leading Seaman on 27 July 1893, CRESCENT (May 1894), VICTORY I (August 1894), EXCELLENT (October 1894), VICTORY I (January 1895), EDINBURGH (February 1895), and FOX (April 1896). Whilst serving aboard FOX he was landed and took part in the various boat operations to quell the ‘Hut Tax’ uprising in the Sierra Leone Protectorate during 1898-99. Advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 6 April 1897 and to Petty Officer 1st Class on 2 April 1898, he next joined DUKE OF WELLINGTON (July 1899), EXCELLENT (February 1900), DUKE OF WELLINGTON (MARCH 1901), EXCELLENT (August 1902), EXMOUTH (June 1903), and PRINCE OF WALES (May 1904). He was disrated to Leading Seaman on 22 September 1905 whilst aboard the latter ship and next joined IRRESISTIBLE (June 1906) and RENOWN (August 1906) and was pensioned ashore having completed 18 years adult service. His chance of being awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal was spoiled in 1892 when he was sentenced to 14 days cells whilst serving aboard RANGAROOMA. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth on 4 December 1906 but does not appear to have been mobilised for war service.