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

Six: East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Gambia 1894 (H. Parsons, P.O.2Cl., H.M.S. Satellite); 1914-15 Star Trio (132139 H. Parsons, C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Henry Parsons, P.O.1Cl., H.M.S. Impregnable) impressed naming; Naval Good Shooting Medal, E.VII.R. (132139 H. Parsons, C.P.O., H.M.S. Roxburgh. 1907. 7.5 In. B.L.) contact marks, therefore nearly very fine and better (6)

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

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Henry Parsons was born on 21 December 1869 in Stonehouse, Devon, and was a printer before joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. LION on 7 April 1885 aged 15 years. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 17 February 1886 and served aboard PHAETON (August 1886) being further advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 21 December 1887 and to Able Seaman on 1 December 1888. In this rate he joined CAMBRIDGE (March 1890), IMPREGNABLE (April 1891), and HIMALAYA (November 1891) being advanced to Leading Seaman on 28 April 1893. He next joined VIVID I (July 1893), CAMBRIDGE (November 1893) and SATELLITE (January 1894) in which ship he took part in the operations against Chief Fodeh Silah in the Gambia during 1894. During service aboard SATELLITE he was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 26 February 1894 and to Petty Officer 1st Class on 5 September 1896.

He subsequently joined VIVID I (August 1897), LION (January 1898), CAMBRIDGE (February 1902), IMPREGNABLE (November 1902), KINSHA (January 1903), and WOODLARK (April 1904). He was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer and confirmed in this rate whilst aboard CAMBRIDGE on 2 April 1905 and next served in EXCELLENT (January 1906), HOOD (April 1906), ROYAL SOVEREIGN (February 1907), REPULSE (June 1907), and ROXBURGH (September 1907). During service in the latter vessel he took part in the annual Fleet Gunery Competition and was awarded a Medal for proficiency with the 7.5" Breech Loading Gun. He next joined VIVID I (August 1909), EUROPA (September 1907), and VIVID I (October 1907).

He was pensioned ashore on 18 December 1909 having been awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1903. He joined the R.F.R. in Devonport on 2 June 1910 for 5 years and re-enrolled on 2 August 1914. He was appointed to HEARTY as a Chief Petty Officer on 26 May 1913 for annual training and continued to serve in this ship until 31 March 1916 when he returned to VIVID I. He next served aboard EUROPA II (July 1917) and CAESAR (January 1919) remaining in this ship until demobilised to shore on 18 September 1919 being nearly 50 years of age and having served 34 years in uniform. He died in 1941.