Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant-Commander M. P. Spence, Royal Navy, who whilst a young Midshipman was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in 1904

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Lieut M. P. Spence, R.N., H.M.S. Odin.) rank partially officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. M.P. Spence. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. M.P. Spence. R.N.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (M. P. Spence. R.N. 7th Dec. 1904.) last lacking integral bronze riband buckle; generally good very fine (6) £400-£500

Royal Humane Society, Case no. 33,783:
‘At 2:00 p.m., on 7 December 1904 at Wei-Hai-Wei, H.M.S. Amphitrite’s whaler capsized in the harbour throwing the crew into the water which was very cold. Midshipman Malgar P. Spence, aged 17, got hold of F. W. Simpson, Able Seaman, and after being dragged under supported him till they were picked up. Successful.’

Malger Powis Spence entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman, and was posted to H.M.S. Amphitrite on 15 January 1904. He transferred to H.M.S. Diadem in March 1905; H.M.S. Terrible in September 1906; and H.M.S. Irresistible in November 1906, and was promoted Sub-Lieutenant on 15 March 1907. He next served in H.M.S. Contest from 3 June 1808; and in H.M.S. Lancaster from 11 August 1908, and it was whilst serving in this latter ship that he was promoted Lieutenant on 15 September 1908, and went ashore to assist in the rescue operations following the Messina Earthquake of 28 December 1908. He saw further service in H.M. Ships Temeraire from 21 July 1909; Odin from 11 January 1910; Thetits from 25 July 1911; Vindictive from 29 September 1913; and Cambrian from 13 July 1916. Promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 15 September 1916, he served for the remainder of the Great War in H.M.S. Cambrian, before transferring post-War to H.M.S. Royal Sovereign on 3 May 1921. His final two appointments were to H.M.S. Ajax on 7 October 1921; and H.M.S. Assistance on 24 September 1923.

Sold with an original envelope addressed to Lieut M. P. Spence, H.M.S. Vindictive, containing four photographs of Naval Officers, one presumably of the recipient.