Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Master-at-Arms C. Woodley, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Gambia 1894 (A.B., H.M.S. Alecto); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Natal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Sh. Corpl., H.M.S. Philomel), ‘Natal’ clasp a copy; British War Medal 1914-20 (122381 M.A.A., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Sh. Corp 1Cl., H.M.S. Philomel) slight contact marks, very fine and better (4) £380-420

Charles Woodley was born in Paddington on 21 February 1868. He enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 24 February 1883. Promoted to Ordinary Seaman in February 1886 and Able Seaman in February 1888, both times whilst on the Raleigh; he served on the Alecto during February 1893-April 1894, participating in the expedition up the Gambia River. He was appointed Ship’s Corporal in 1994. He served aboard the Philomel at the time of the Boer War, for which he was awarded the Queen’s medal without clasp. In September 1901, whilst still on board the ship, he was promoted to Master-at-Arms. He retired from the service in 1906 but re-entered in August 1914, joining the Anson Battalion Royal Naval Division. Woodley was demobilized on 30 May 1919. Sold with copied service paper.