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

Ten: Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Mid. G. L. Saurin, R.N., H.M.S. Diadem); 1914-15 Star Trio, M.I.D. (Commr. G. L. Saurin, R.N.); Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; Russian Order of St Stanislas, breast badge in gold and enamels; Belgian Order of Leopold, 4th class breast badge with swords, gilt and enamels, chipped in places; French Croix de Guerre 1914-18, with bronze palm, nearly extremely fine (10)

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

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The Queen’s South Africa medal is unique named to H.M.S. DIADEM.

Gerald Saurin was born in Leamington, Warwickshire, on 13 October 1880, and entered the service as a 13 year old Cadet aboard the Training Ship BRITANNIA on 15 July 1884. On passing out of BRITANNIA he gained 12 months seniority by obtaining four 2nd Class and one 3rd Class Certificates. He was promoted to Midshipman on 15 July prior to joining MAGNIFICENT (September 1896), POWERFUL (June 1897), BOSCAWEN (March 1899), and DIADEM (July 1899). He was promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant on 15 January 1900 and next appointed to SYLVIA (January 1901), and OPHIR (February 1901). He served in OPHIR during the Royal Visit to the Colonies and qualified for the Queen's South Africa Medal without clasp. For some unknown reason the Medal was engraved with the name of his previous ship DIADEM and, in common with all other medals to OPHIR appears to have been issued by the War Office. He was specially promoted to Lieutenant on 6 November 1901 for services in OPHIR. He subsequently served in this rank aboard JUPITER (November 1901), GLORY (December 1903), VICTORY (February 1905) for Signal Course, ECLIPSE (March 1906), RACER (May 1906) ‘for services at OSBORNE’, ILLUSTRIOUS (June 1908), and BELLEROPHON (January 1909). He was next appointed to the Royal Yacht VICTORIA & ALBERT (October 1910) and was aboard the vessel at the Coronation Fleet Review in 1911 and received the Coronation Medal to add to the Jubilee Medal he received in 1897, and the Coronation Medal for 1902 given for service in OPHIR during the Royal Cruise.

He was promoted to Commander on leaving the Royal Yacht and retired at own request on 8 April 1913 having spent just under 20 years in uniform. He was recalled for War service joining DUBLIN for Transport Services on 1 August 1914 and transferred to the Naval Camp at Walmer on 19 August 1914. He next joined RACER ‘for Osborne Naval College’, and on 4 May 1915 was given Command of the Gunboat EXCELLENT in which he took part in the bombardment of the Belgian Coast August-November 1915. He was mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 12 January 1916, and appointed Flag Commander to Admiral Sir G. A. Callaghan from 21 January 1917 until 1 March 1918. He was superseded from this post due to ill health and was discharged medically unfit for further service on 24 July 1918 being promoted to Captain on the Retired List in recognition of services rendered during the War but somewhat unusually he declined this promotion.

His service record states that in August 1909 he was granted private permission to wear the Russian Order of St Stanislas and that he was awarded the Order of Leopold (Officer) London Gazette 1 January 1917. He died on 8 April 1954 aged 73 years.