Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 284

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The rare Africa campaign pair to Able Seaman F. Moore, Royal Navy, who twice saw service ashore as a Bluejacket and appears to have been mentioned in despatches for service on attachment to the R.E. Balloon Section in the Boer War

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Gambia 1894 (F. Moore. Ord. H.M.S. Raleigh.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (158514 A-B: F. Moore. H.M.S. Forte.), attractively mounted as worn with blank clasp facings in the 'China 1860' style as top riband bars, minor official correction to the first, otherwise very fine (2)

One of 16 five-clasp Queen's South Africa Medals issued to H.M.S. Forte.

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 February 1901. His service record states:

'Rendered good service attached with the Balloon Section for 3 months. Present at Relief of Ladysmith. Mentioned in Despatches.'

Frank Moore was born at Woolwich Barracks, Kent in July 1875 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1891. Initially serving aboard H.M.S. St. Vincent, he was advanced Boy 1st Class in January 1892. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Raleigh from April 1893 until February 1895, in which period he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman and came ashore with the Naval Brigade in the Gambia operations of 1894 (Medal & clasp). Having then served aboard Wildfire, Empress of India and the Tender Salmon, he joined Forte in April 1899. He would again be landed as a Bluejacket during the Boer War, going ashore at Durban in November 1899. His service record states:

'Took part in operations with Natal Field Force including the Battle of Botha's Pass and Allman's Nek and occupation of Utrecht, Volkornek and Warestroom.'

The exact nature of his service with the Balloon Section remains a mystery, but in all liklihood he served on attachment to the 1st Section, Royal Engineers, due to the combination of his clasps. Moore continued to serve with the Royal Navy before being discharged in July 1905; sold with the original service record in distressed delivery envelope and copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,200