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

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Gunner R. Love, R.N., H.M.S. Cossack) edge bruise and light contact mark, otherwise very fine

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

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Robert Love was born in Queenstown, Ireland, on 17 November 1872 and was a seafarer prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 27 February 1888. He was transferred to LION (March 1888) and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 28 March 1889, and served next aboard VOLAGE (November 1889) where he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 17 November 1890 and to Able Seaman on 1 April 1891. In this rate he subsequently served aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON (April 1891), BOADICEA (August 1891), VICTORY I (January 1892), EXCELLENT (May 1892), VERNON (December 1892) and HOOD (June 1893). In the latter ship he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 13 December 1894 and to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 16 June 1896. As a Petty Officer 2nd Class he next served aboard VICTORY I (September 1896), EXCELLENT (December 1896), VERNON (February 1897), ALEXANDRA (October 1897), VERNON (October 1898), VICTORY (October 1898) and MARS (January 1899). In the latter vessel he was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 11 January 1899, and in this rate he served during 1899-1900 aboard the shore establishments DUKE OF WELLINGTON, VERNON and EXCELLENT, each on two separate occasions.

He was appointed Gunner (Warrant Officer) on 5 October 1900 and served next aboard HIGHFLYER (August 1901), and COSSACK (January 1903). He was next appointed to PEMBROKE (November 1903), HORNET (May 1906), KING ALFRED (January 1908), HAZARD (March 1911) and ACHILLES (May 1913), and promoted to Chief Gunner on 5 October 1915. He served aboard PRESIDENT from February 1916 ‘For Miscellaneous and Special Duties’ and for duty at Coventry Ordnance Works but died on active service on 5 January 1919. He was buried at Portsmouth, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register, Hampshire No. 1.