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

Six: Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (F. Chapman, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Cossack); British War and Victory Medals (145865 F. Chapman, C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Francis Chapman, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Cambridge); Naval Good Shooting Medal, E.VII.R. (145865 F. Chapman, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Argyll. 1906 7.5 In. B.L.); The ‘Fleet’ Medal for Merit, bronze (Presented to F. Chapman, P.O. 1 G.I., H.M.S. Argyll. The Best 7.5 inch Gun Shot in the Royal Navy 1906. 13 Rounds 13 Hits. Time 1 3/4 Mins. Range 1600 Yds.) the last in its J. A.Wylie case of issue, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine (6)

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

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Thomas Chapman was born in Prolens, Cornwall, on 12 June 1872, and was a labourer prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 2 May 1888. He transferred to GANGES on 12 May 1888 and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 11 May 1889. He served in this rate aboard IMPREGNABLE (June 1889) and DEFIANCE (April 1890) being advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 12 June 1890, VIVID (November 1890), CALYPSO (December 1890) being advanced to Able Seaman on 1 August 1890, VIVID I (October 1891), CAMBRIDGE (November 1891), DEFIANCE (May 1892), VIVID I (December 1892), and EDGAR (March 1893). During service in the latter ship he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 24 July 1895 and subsequently joined VIVID I (October 1896), CAMBRIDGE (November 1896), DEFIANCE (January 1897) and CAMBRIDGE (February 1897). In the latter vessel he was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 10 March 1897 and to Petty Officer 1st Class on 4 January 1898.

As a Petty Officer 1st Class he next joined BLACK PRINCE (October 1899), CAMBRIDGE (November 1899), BLACK PRINCE (March 1900), and COSSACK (March 1900) in which he served on patrol off the Somali Coast during 1902-03, CAMBRIDGE (August 1903), and ARGYLL (January 1906). Whilst in the latter ship he was awarded the Naval Good Shooting Medal for Proficiency with the 7.5 inch Breech Loading Gun. During his service in ARGYLL he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 1 November 1907 and served in this rate aboard VIVID I (February 1908) and was confirmed as a Chief Petty Officer 31 October 1908. He next joined CARNARVON (August 1909), and PRESIDENT (January 1912) from which ship he was seconded as an Active Service Instructor to the 4th Company Bristol Division R.N.V.R. He served until declaration of War in 1914 when he returned to the Royal Navy, and joined VIVID I (August 1914) and REVENGE (February 1916).

Whilst aboard REVENGE he took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The First Battle Squadron (Vice Admiral Sir Cecil Burney) comprising of the Battleships MARLBOROUGH, REVENGE, HERCULES, AGINCOURT, COLOSSUS, COLLINGWOOD, NEPTUNE and ST VINCENT, was heavily engaged with Admiral Hipper’s Fleet during the action at Horns Reef. H.M.S. REVENGE with her eight 15 inch guns was one of the most powerful Battleships present. He next served aboard VIVID I (February 1918), REVENGE (February 1918), and VIVID I (February 1918) and was demobilised on 15 March 1919. A photograph of the recipient was published in The Fleet magazine.