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

Six: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (118025 R. N. Ritchie, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Andes); 1914-15 Star Trio (118026 R. N. Ritchie, P.O.1, R.N.); Coronation 1902, bronze, named on the reverse (Robt. N. Ritchie, P.O. 2nd Cl., H.M.Y. Osborne); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (R. N. Ritchie, P.O. 2Cl., H.M.Y. Osborne) some 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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D.S.M. London Gazette 31 March 1916 ‘For services in the Patrol Cruisers under the Command of Rear Admiral Sir Dudley R. S. de Chair, K.C.B., M.V.O., during the period ending 31 December 1915.’

Robert Niven Ritchie was born on 17 January 1867 in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. He entered the Royal Navy on 21 January 1882, aged 15 years, as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. LORD WARDEN. He transferred in this rate to IMPREGNABLE on 26 January 1882, and advanced to Boy 1st Class on 7 February 1883. He served next aboard DEFENCE (September 1883), REPULSE (January 1885) being advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 17 January 1885. He subsequently served aboard RUPERT (August 1885), the Royal Yacht CAROLINE (February 1886) where he received advancement to Able Seaman on 1 August 1886, EXCELLENT (February 1890) and then the Royal Yacht OSBORNE. He served in this vessel for 13 years until pensioned ashore with 18 years adult service as a Petty Officer (Rigger) 1st Class on 3 February 1903. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in April 1895 whilst serving aboard the Royal Yacht OSBORNE.

He enrolled in the R.F.R. at Portsmouth on 13 July 1906 and was mobilised on 2 August 1914 as a Petty Officer 1st class aboard H.M.S. VICTORY I. He transferred to DRAKE on 25 August 1914 and returned to VICTORY I on 8 April 1915. He subsequently joined the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. ANDES on 21 April 1915, and continued to serve in this vessel for nearly two and a half years until 7 September 1917. He next joined VICTORY I on 8 September 1917 where he remained until demobilised on 12 February 1919.