Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (W. C. Smith, Chf: Writer, H.M.S. Egeria.) extremely fine £100-£140

William Charles Smith was born in Devonport on 26 November 1860. He joined the Navy as a Boy Writer in Royal Adelaide, the Depot Ship at Devonport, on 29 January 1876, at the age of 15 and, on his 18th birthday signed on for 10 yrs. On his 28th birthday he extended this for a further 10 years and on his 38th birthday for another 5 yrs. On 23 November 1903, he was pensioned but, on 3 August 1914, he joined up again but was discharged a month later when he was two months short of his 54th birthday - he may have been medically unfit.

As a Boy Writer he served in Royal Adelaide, Impregnable and Agincourt, becoming a Writer 3rd Class on his 18th birthday. He then served in Royal Adelaide (again) and Ganges until advanced to Writer 2nd Class (Leading rate) on 25 November 1883, and after further service in Northampton, Royal Adelaide and Egeria, he was advanced to Writer 1st Class (Petty Officer) on 23 November 1888. Whilst still in Egeria between 14 October 1886 and 9 December 1889, he was advanced to Chief Writer on 1 July 1889, the rate in which he remained for the rest of his career. Whilst in the ship he would have served in the East Indies and South West Pacific during her first commission after conversion to a surveying ship. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal on 23 January 1890 whilst in Egeria.

Sold with copied record of service.