Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Engineer-Commander C. A. Codrington, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. Cr. C. A. Codrington. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Commr. C. A. Codrington. R.N.) good very fine (3) £180-£220

Claude Alexander Codrington was born on 16 February 1877 and educated at Mannmaed School, Plymouth; the Central Technical College, S.W. London, and Earle’s Marine Engineering Works, Hull. He served in H.M.S. Royal Arthur, the flagship during the Duke of Cornwall and York’s visit to Australia 1901; and in H.M.S. Renown during the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales visit to India, 1905-06. At the start of the Great War he was ranked as an Engineer Lieutenant Commander and was serving on the cruiser H.M.S. Diamond, attached to the 3rd Battle Squadron. His Who was Who entry records that he ‘assisted rescue of about half the survivors, about 50, of H.M.S. Formidable’. In September 1917 he was promoted to Engineer Commander and from October 1917 he served on the light cruiser H.M.S. Champion. Placed on the Retired List, 8 January 1920, he subsequently served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1948, and died on 14 February 1955.

Sold together with the recipient’s original commission document appointing him Assistant Engineer, 1 July 1900; an original photograph of Codrington in later life wearing his medals; and copied service papers and other research.