Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman W. T. Andrews, Royal Navy, who was recalled for service in the Second World War, and was missing presumed killed in an air raid on Plymouth in April 1941

1914-15 Star (J.14091, W. T. Ambrose. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.14091 W. T. Ambrose. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.14091 W. T. Ambrose. A. B. H.M.S. Cornwall.) Star very faintly impressed with part of surname too faint to be legible, edge bruising and polished, therefore nearly very fine (4) £140-£180

William Thomas Ambrose was born on 31 January 1895, at Romford Essex. He commenced naval service as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges, on 8 September 1911. He stated, on enlistment, that he had prior service as a merchant seaman. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Roxburgh, on 31 January 1913, and to Able Seaman on 22 September 1914. He subsequently served in the Great War in H.M.S. Vivid I, H.M.S. Woolwich (Goshawk), H.M.S. Bellerophon, H.M.S. Victorious (Sunflower), H.M.S. Greenwich (Lilac) and H.M.S. Tyne (Tonbridge). Following the Great War he served in H.M.S. Emperor of India and H.M.S. Resolution, amongst others. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1928. He was pensioned to shore, from H.M.S. Drake I, on 30 January 1935.

Ambrose was recalled for service in H.M.S. Capetown, on 31 July 1939. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Drake I, and H.M.S. Boscawen. He was recorded as missing and presumed killed in action, aged 45, during an air raid on Plymouth, on 21 April 1941, and is commemorated on a Special Memorial at Plymouth (Western Mill) Cemetery.