Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class J. Murphy, Royal Navy

British War and Victory Medals (133295 C.E.R.A.1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S.& G.C., E.VII.R. (Joseph Murphy, Ch. E.R.A. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Pembroke) good very fine (3) £70-90

Joseph Murphy was born on 8 November 1862 in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. An Engine Fitter by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy in May 1885 with the rank of Engine Room Artificer 4th Class. His first seagoing appointment being on the Caroline, January 1886-February 1890. In May 1888 he was recommended for promotion to the Admiralty for ‘diving operations’ and in the same month was advanced to E.R.A. 3rd Class. He was promoted to E.R.A. 2nd Class in May 1892 whilst serving on the Hotspur. In December 1896 whilst serving on the Tartar, he was again recommended for promotion ‘for diving operations to steam ship “Bermuda” - and also for duties performed during the Spanish & Cuban War’. In February 1897 he was promoted the Chief E.R.A. 2nd Class and in June 1899 to C.E.R.A. Awarded the Long Service medal on 15 February 1905, he was pensioned ashore in May 1907. Recalled for service as a C.E.R.A. on 2 August 1914, he served throughout the war, mostly based on Actaeon (Sheerness Torpedo School) May 1915-February 1919, being demobilized on 13 February 1919. Sold with original parchment Certificates of Service (2) and Naval Pension form.