Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Captain H. B. Le Fanu, Royal Navy

British War and Victory Medals (Commr., R.N.) extremely fine £120-140

Hugh Barrington Le Fanu was born in Dublin on 11 November 1872. He joined the Navy in 1888 and became a Commander in December 1906. In February 1914 he was appointed Chief Coastguard Officer for south-east Ireland, based at the Naval Centre in Kingstown. The duties of Harbourmaster were soon added to his coastguard responsibilities, and these grew greatly in scope when he had to set up a watch for German U-boats in the Irish Sea during the war. He retired in the rank of Captain in November 1922. One of his sons became Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Le Fanu, G.C.B., D.S.C., First Sea Lord 1968-70. For further details see his biography by Richard Baker, Dry Ginger.