Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Sub Lieut. H. G. Philpott R.N.R. 1892.) officially re-impressed naming, lacking integral riband buckle, very fine £200-£240

Henry Goschen Philpott was born at Chewton Mendip, near Bath, on 19 July 1866 and obtained his 2nd Mate’s Certificate in London on 9 November 1887, sailing that year in the Eusemne. He joined the Peninsula and Oriental Line as 2nd Mate on 17 June 1893 and was employed on the S.S. Oceana which sailed to Australia. In common with other officers of the company, he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve, but in October 1897 was specifically recommended for R.N. training, as a result of which he was appointed a Probationary Lieutenant on the R.N’s Supplementary List the following year, with seniority from 1 October 1898. He retired as Commander, R.N. on 5 January 1909.

Recalled ‘for Special Service’ on 30 July 1914, Philpott served during the Great War, was advanced Captain, and for his ‘valuable services as Shipping Intelligence Officer, Devonport’, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (London Gazette 16 October 1919). He retired for a second time on 25 January 1919, and died at Chewton Mendip in May 1936.

Note: The recipient’s O.B.E. and British War Medal (his entire Great War medallic entitlement) were sold in these rooms in June 2005.