Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Stoker Petty Officer J. S. Andrews, Royal Navy, who was serving in H.M.A.S. Encounter when she became the first Australian Naval Vessel to fire a shot in anger, on 14 September 1914

1914-15 Star (S.S. 109965 J. S. Andrews. Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (S.S.109965 J. S. Andrews. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.58497 J. S. Andrews S.P.O. H.M.S. Victory.) mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £120-£160

Joseph Sidney Andrews, a labourer from Hull, Yorkshire was born on 6 March 1891. Enlisting in the Royal Navy on 13 July 1910, his Great War service included service in H.M.A.S. Encounter, a ship that was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, on the Pacific Station, until May 1917, and he was serving in her when Encounter became the first Australian ship to fire a shot in anger, at Toma Ridge, New Guinea on 14 September 1914. Promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 March 1918, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 3rd October 1925, and was invalided from the service due to general paresis on 23 November 1931.