Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Stoker Petty Officer J. Stevens, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (304061 J. Stevens. S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (304061 J. Stevens. S.P.O. R.N.; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (304061 James Stevens. S.P.O. H.M.S. Research.) contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £80-£100

James Stevens, a porter from Wareham, Dorset, was born on 13 July 1884. Enlisting in the Royal Navy on 9 May 1903, his Great War service included service in H.M.S. Cossack, whilst she supported Belgian troops at the battle of Yser in 1914 with a naval bombardment, and in H.M.S. Greyhound, on anti Submarine duties off the Belgian coast. After returning to H.M.S. Cossack, he was on board when she collided with S.S. The Duchess on 1 July 1917, which caused the explosion from her depth charges, sinking The Duchess and blowing off Cossack's stern. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 10 December 1918, and was discharged on 8 May 1925, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day.