Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2) (279609 Henry Brinson. Stoker P.O., H.M.S. Essex.; 152002 John Cunningham, Sh. Corpl. 1Cl, H.M.S. Berwick.) generally very fine and better (2) £80-£120

Henry Brinson was born in Bridport, Dorset on 20 May 1871. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in May 1895 and was first posted to H.M.S. Victory. He went onto serve with several other ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Collingwood, Royal Sovereign, Trafalgar, Thames, Exmouth and Pandora. Brinson transferred to H.M.S. Essex in April 1907 and it was whilst serving with this ship that he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. On the outbreak of the Great War Brinson was serving with H.M.S. Victory II, moving to H.M.S. Research in September 1917, a depot ship for armed trawlers. He remained with her until his demobilisation in September 1919.

John Cunningham was born in Temple Robin, County Cork on 5 June 1873. He enlisted into the Royal Navy on November 1889 and first served with H.M.S. Impregnable, transferring to H.M.S. Lion in December 1889. Following this he saw further service on ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Neptune, Calypso, Cambridge, Arethusa, Royal Sovereign and Alexandra until March 1906 when he was transferred to H.M.S. Berwick. It was whilst serving with this ship that Cunningham was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged with a pension in June 1913, but joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in May 1914. On the outbreak of the Great War he was recalled and served with several vessels including H.M.S. Ocean, Vengeance and Powerful. He was demobilised in July 1920.