Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Chief Stoker F. G. Downes, Royal Navy

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (299583. F. G. Downes, Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Yarmouth.) initials officially corrected; Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, very fine (2) £100-140

Francis George Downes was born on 11 September 1877 at Portsmouth and joined the Royal Navy on 11 January 1902. Advanced Leading Stoker, serving in H.M.S. Natal, 25 July 1907, he transferred to H.M.S. Lancaster on 7 April 1908, and participated in the rescue operations after the Messina Earthquake, 28 December 1908. Promoted Stoker Petty Officer, 1 September 1911, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Yarmouth, was awarded his Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 24 February 1917, and was promoted to his final rank of Chief Stoker on 24 March 1919. He was shore pensioned on 10 January 1924, after 22 years’ service.