Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2) (268308 Alfred Mc.Dowell. C.E.R.A. 2 Cl, H.M.S. Swiftsure.; 156904 R. L. G. Staddon, C.E.R.A. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Niobe.) generally very fine and better (2) £120-£160

Alfred McDowell was born in Canning Town, London on 14 July 1870. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in October 1894 and first served with H.M.S. Victory. He transferred to H.M.S. Malabar in February 1896 followed by H.M.S. Vernon and Monarch. He was part of the crew on the later during its involvement in the Second Boer War, for which McDowell was awarded a Queen’s South Africa Medal. Following his return, McDowell went onto serve with H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, Terrible and Dominion. In October 1908 he was posted to H.M.S. Swiftsure and it was whilst serving with this ship that he was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, having reached the rate of Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class. On the outbreak of the Great War, McDowell was serving with H.M.S. Southampton and was posted to the light cruiser H.M.S. Castor in January 1915. McDowell was with this ship during the Battle of Jutland, where Castor served as ‘Flotilla Cruiser’ with 11th Destroyer Flotilla, and he was personally commended for his good serve during the battle (London Gazette 15 September 1915). McDowell continued to serve with Castor until the end of the war and was still part of the crew during her involvement in the Russian Intervention of 1918-19. He was demobilised in February 1919.

Roger Llewelyn Glanville Staddon was born in Turnchapel, Plymouth, Devon on 7 February 1868. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in March 1892 and was first posted to H.M.S. Vivid II. He then went onto serve with numerous other ships and shore establishments including H.M.S. Collingwood, Edgar, Magdala, Triumph and Challenger. In October 1907 Staddon joined H.M.S. Niobe and it was whilst serving with this ship that he was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, having attained the rate of Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class. After further service with H.M.S. Europa, Gibraltar and Warrior, he was invalided out of the service in June 1909, being considered no longer fit for duty. During the Great War Staddon served with the Mercantile Marine for which he was awarded the British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals.