Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An unusual campaign group of three awarded to Stoker 1st Class A. McQuade, Royal Navy, who had previously served on land as a Private with the Essex Regiment in Egypt and the Sudan, prior to his service with the Royal Navy during the Boxer Rebellion and the Great War. He was killed in action whilst serving during the latter, and was one of the 354 crew and passengers of H.M.S. Laurentic that lost their lives when she struck two mines off Ireland, 25 January 1917

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (982. Pte. A. McQuade. 2/Essex. R.); China 1900, no clasp (A. McQuade, Sto., H.M.S. Aurora.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, minor edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine or better (3) £360-400

Alexander McQuade was born in Belfast in October 1867. He attested for service with the Essex Regiment in June 1883. He served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan, before being posted to Malta in February 1887. McQuade transferred to the Army Reserve three years later, before joining the Royal Navy as a Stoker in September 1894.

McQuade was posted for service with H.M.S. Aurora in February 1899. He served with the latter on and off the coast of China during the Boxer Rebellion. Having advanced to Stoker 1st Class, McQuade was posted for service with H.M.S. Albion (battleship), 2 August 1914. She was initially assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron of the Channel Fleet, before joining the 7th Battle Squadron. H.M.S. Albion subsequently served on the Cape of Good Hope station before transferring to the Mediterranean in January 1915. She took part in the Dardanelles campaign, and served during the bombardment of the Turkish forts guarding the outer entrance to the Dardanelles on 18 - 19 February 1915. The Albion was one of the first Allied ships to enter the Turkish Straits, and supported the first Allied landings in February - March 1915.

McQuade continued to serve with the Albion when she transferred to Salonika in October 1915, where she operated from until April 1916. He was posted for service with H.M.S. Laurentic (armed merchant cruiser) in January 1917, and was serving with her when she struck two mines off Lough Swilly, Ireland, 25 January 1917. She sank within the hour, with McQuade and 353 others going down with her.

Stoker McQuade is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied research, including an article on the recipient which has a photographic image of him in naval uniform.