Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (W. A. Pilcher, Ldg. Stoker, H.M.S. Woodlark.) good very fine £260-300

Provenance: K. Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW, February 1997.

William Pilcher was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in April 1888, and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Asia on 6 May 1878. He transferred to Assistance (August 1878), and to Asia (November 1878), was advanced to Stoker in January 1879 and served next aboard Bacchante (July 1879) and Asia (September 1882). Pilcher was advanced to Leading Stoker in December 1883 and next joined Woodlark (February 1884) in which he served during the Burma campaign. He served next aboard Asia (March 1887), Vernon (May 1888), and Asia (December 1889). In the latter ship he was advanced to Acting Chief Stoker in March 1890 and next served aboard Magicienne (April 1890) and was confirmed in the rate of Chief Stoker in March 1891. Pilcher subsequently served as a Chief Stoker aboard the following ships and shore establishments: Victory II (August 1893), Excellent (January 1894), Victory (June 1894), Royal Oak (January 1896), Victory II (November 1896), Ramilles (November 1896), Victory III (September 1897) and Victory II (October 1897). He was pensioned to shore on 2 May 1898 after 20 years adult service, and awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in August 1890 whilst serving aboard H.M.S. Magicienne.

Approximately 62 ‘Burma 1885-7’ clasps to H.M.S. Woodlark.

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