Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Order of St. John group of six awarded to Senior Reserve Attendant J. E. Fitzgibbon, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, attached Royal Naval Division, who aged 49 served during the defence of Antwerp, and went on to serve with the hospital ship Magic during the Gallipoli campaign

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s, breast badge, circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background; 1914 Star, with clasp (M.9647. J. L. Fitzgibbons. Sen. R. A. R.N.A.S.B.R.); British War and Victory Medals (M.9467 J. E. Fitzgibbon. S.R.A. R.N.); Coronation 1911, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Pte. J. E. Fitzgibbon.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with three Additional Award Bars (4174 Sgt. J. Fitzgibbon. No. 40 Becton Div. No. 1 Dist. S.J.A.B. 1924.) mounted for wear, note spelling variations of name, slightly worn overall, generally nearly very fine, scarce (6) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

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John Elias Fitzgibbon was born in Gosport, Hampshire in February 1865. His employment prior to the Great War is given as Time Keeper, having served with the Rifle Brigade for 16 years and 233 days previously. Fitzgibbon was one of the many members of the St. John Ambulance who volunteered to serve in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve during the early part of the 20th Century. He was mobilised, 2 August 1914, aged 49 years old and must have been one of the oldest members of the Sick Berth Reserve to have seen service at Ostend and Antwerp in 1914.

Fitzgibbon was posted as Senior Reserve Attendant to H.M.S. Pembroke at Chatham. He was one of 85 men of the RNASBR that were sent for service with the Royal Naval Division, and one of just 41 men of the RNASBR to be issued with the 1914 Star and Clasp. Fitzgibbon returned to the UK, and was posted to the hospital ship Magic in December 1914. He served with the latter as part of the Dardanelles Operations of 1915-16, and advanced to Acting Sick Berth Steward when he returned to the UK in May 1917. Subsequent postings included with H.M.S. Sachem, and at H.M.S. City of Perth. Fitzgibbon was demobilised in June 1919, aged 54 years old.

Sold with copied research.