Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Chief Yeoman of Signals H. Field, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (H. Field. Sign. 2 Cl., H.M.S. “Seahorse”); British War Medal 1914-20 (104441 H. Field. C.Y.S., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (104441 Henry Field, Ch. Yeo. Sigs., H.M.S. Research.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, light pitting to first, very fine and better (4) £300-£400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2012.

Henry Field was born in Berwick, Northumberland, on 17 December 1862, and was educated at Greenwich School. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 4 April 1878, and was advanced Signalman 3rd Class on his 18th birthday. He joined H.M.S. Seahorse on 26 January 19881, and was advanced Signalman 2nd Class on 1 July of that year. He served in her during the Egyptian campaign, before joining the Royal Yacht Osborne on 2 March 1884, and remained in her until 19 April 1886. He was advanced Signalman (1st Class) on 20 April 1886, and served in H.M.S. Sapphire from 11 May 1886 to 25 September 1889, during which he was advanced to Yeoman of Signals on 20 December 1888. He joined H.M.S. Inflexible on 31 October 1896, and was promoted to his ultimate rank of Chief Yeoman of Signals on 18 November 1896.

Field was shore pensioned on 4 January 1901, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 22 May 1906. Mobilised for service during the Great War, he served for the majority of the conflict in Auxiliary Patrol ships at Portland, whilst borne on the books of the depot ship at Portland, H.M.S. Research, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 5 September 1917. He was finally demobilised on 5 September 1917.