Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

‘Bluejacket’ Medal for Good Shooting in the British Fleet, bronze, 48mm diameter (A. Davidson. A.B. H.M.S. “Terrible” Prize. Crew. 1900) the ribbon clasp inscribed ‘Prize Crew’ and the top suspension bar inscribed ‘H.M.S. Terrible. Year. 1900.’, complete with original ribbon, note incorrect initial ‘A’ on medal, nearly extremely fine and scarce £300-£400

These medals were presented by the proprietors of the Bluejacket and Coastguard Gazette in each year from 1900 to 1903. It was awarded in silver to the ‘number one’ of the gun’s crew and in bronze to the remaining members of the crew, seven or eight in number. Medals were awarded to two gun’s crews from Terrible in 1900 because they both produced equal scores in the Prize Firing that year, with 6 hits from 6 rounds in one minute from the 6-inch gun. Chief Petty Officer H. Symons and Petty Officer J. Metcalfe were the recipients of the silver medals in 1900. With the introduction of the Naval Good Shooting Medal in 1904 the Gazette decided to discontinue their award. During its four year’s existence six silver Medals and approximately 45 bronze Medals were issued (Vide: ‘The Naval Good Shooting Medal 1903-1914’, by R. J. Scarlett, 1990).

Able Seaman Frank Davidson is confirmed as a member of Petty Officer J. Metcalfe’s crew from H.M.S. Terrible. Metcalfe’s rare silver award was sold in these rooms on 5 March 2020.

Frank Nicholas Davidson was born at Sheerness, Kent, on 20 October 1877, and joined the Royal Navy on 8 May 1895. He was rated as a Seaman Gunner Trainer on 27 January 1900 and continued in the Gunnery Subrating throughout his service, finally becoming a Gun Layer 1st Class in March 1912. He also reached Chief Petty Officer status in June 1917.

Davidson joined H.M.S. Terrible in June 1900, just in time to earn the China medal without clasp - probably the heavy guns were not called upon for the action at the relief of Pekin. He joined Minotaur in May 1912, once again on the China station, and continued in her during the Great War, in the 2nd Cruiser Squadron at Jutland. He qualified for the trio of Great War medals and also for the L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1910. Sold with copied record of service and other research.