Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Chief Stoker F. Gosling, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Conqueror at the battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy and serving in H.M.A.S. Sydney

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (F. Gosling, Sto: H.M.S. Barrosa); 1914-15 Star (285024, F. Gosling, Ch. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (285024. F. Gosling. Ch. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (285024 Frank Gosling, Sto. P.O., H.M.S. Hood); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £400-£500

Frank Gosling, a Mason from Huxham, Devon, was born on 12 May 1876. He joined the Royal Navy on 5 March 1897, his first service as a Stoker Second Class, aboard H.M.S. St George from 31 July 1897. Quickly transferring to H.M.S. Philomel and then H.M.S. Barrosa, he served in the latter ship during the Boer War. He transferred to H.M.S. Sutlej on 11 May 1908, was advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 19 September 1908, and was present during the rescue operations following the Messina Earthquake on 28 December 1908. Transferring to H.M.S. Hood on 25 September 1911, Gosling was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 12 July 1912, before joining H.M.S. Conqueror on 25 July 1913. He would serve with this ship during the Great War until 21 November 1917, the majority of the time as Chief Stoker, and was present at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. Joining the Royal Australian Navy on 26 November 1917, Gosling served in H.M.A.S Sydney, leaving this ship on 31 January 1920 and joining the Royal Fleet Reserve in November of that year.

Sold with the recipient’s parchment certificate of service.