Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Able Seaman R. D. Cole, Royal Navy, who served for much of the Great War as a Leading Boatman (A.B.), H.M. Coast Guard

1914-15 Star (200307 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (200307 Lg. Btn., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue, swivel suspension (200307 Lg. Boatn. (A.B.), H.M.M. F.A. Baron Ardrossan), most probably a unique L.S. & G.C. to this ship, generally good very fine (4) £100-120

Richard David Cole was born in Southampton in May 1882 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1898. Advanced to Able Seaman in August 1901, he transferred as a Boatman to the Coast Guard at Southern Galloways in April 1911, but was serving as a Leading Boatman in the Baron Ardrossan by the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914 - aboard which ship he received his L.S. & G.C. Medal in February 1916. Shortly afterwards he commenced a series of shore appointments and ended the War at President IV at Londonderry as a Leading Boatman (A.B.). Cole, who appears to have qualified as a Station Signaller in 1921, was finally pensioned in May 1922, having enjoyed further Coast Guard postings to Dymchurch, Marchwood and Fowey.