Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2) (162932 C. H. Harding, Po. 1Cl. H.M.S. Fisgard.; Harry Stone, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Duncan.) very fine (2) £80-£120

Charles Herbert Harding was born in Reforne, Portland in Dorset on 3 September 1876. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in September 1891 and was posted to H.M.S. St. Vincent, followed by H.M.S. Dreadnought. He continued his service with many other ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Camperdown, Cruiser, Grafton, Majestic, Victorious, Goliath and Terrible. In December 1907, he was assigned to the shore establishment H.M.S. Victory I (H.M.S. Fisgard) and during this posting was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His later service included H.M.S. Imperieuse, Ariadne, Europa and Cormorant. At the outbreak of the Great War he was serving with H.M.S. Victory moving to H.M.S. Research in October 1915, a depot ship for armed trawlers. He was demobilised in March 1919.

Harry Stone was born in Andover, Hampshire on 27 July 1867. He enlisted into the Royal Navy as Boy Second Class in October 1882 and was assigned to H.M.S. St Vincent. He continued his service with numerous ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Valourus, Comus, Severn, Revenge, Royal Oak, Sparrow and Katoomba. He joined H.M.S. Duncan in October 1903, remaining with her until June 1905. It was during this period that he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Following this his postings included H.M.S. Argonaut and Venus before he was discharged to pension and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in July 1910. He was recalled at the outbreak of the Great War and served aboard the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Armadale Castle. He died in service on 29 April 1917 from a compound fracture of the leg, a kidney abscess and degeneration of the heart, and is buried in Birkenhead (Flaybrick Hill) Cemetery.