Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2) (143525 Alfred Osborne, Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Sapphire.; 340177 F. W. Manning, Blacksmith, H.M.S. Waterwitch.) contact marks to first, this nearly very fine, the second better (2) £80-£120

Alfred Osborne was born in Portsmouth on 15 October 1865. He enlisted into the Royal Navy on 24 December 1887 and was first posted to H.M.S. Pembroke. He later served with numerous other ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Tyne, Alecto, Hood, Wildfire II, Northampton and Rosario. In January 1905 he moved to H.M.S. Sapphire and remained with her until January 1907. It was whilst serving with this ship that he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. After various other postings, Osborne was discharged with a pension in January 1910. He was recalled during the Great War and awarded a single British War Medal for home service, attaining the rank of Chief Stoker.

Frederick William Manning was born in Abbotsbury, Dorset on 21 June 1872. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in June 1894, being appointed the rate of Blacksmith’s Mate and was first posted to H.M.S. Victory. He served on several other ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Achilles, Vernon, Duke of Wellington, Formidable and Royal Arthur before transferring to H.M.S. Waterwitch in March 1908. During his service aboard this ship, Manning was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He left Waterwitch in March 1910 for postings with H.M.S. Edgar and Revenge. On the outbreak of the Great War he was serving aboard H.M.S. Invincible before transferring to Amethyst in March 1915, remaining with this ship until the end of the war. She was involved in the support bombardment for the Gallipoli Landings in 1915 and the search for the German commerce raider Mowe in late 1916. Manning was demobilised in April 1919.