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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 137

(x) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (127134 A.B: F. Mitchell, H.M.S. Doris), nearly very fine

Frederick Mitchell was born on 25 February 1869 in Hardwick, Birmingham, and signed on for 10 years with the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday having seen several years service already as a Boy 2nd - and then 1st - Class. Giving his trade as 'Baker' and with a 'heart tattoo on right arm', his adult service included several stints in the cells for periods between three and 14 days.

Joining the Eclipse-class cruiser H.M.S. Doris in November 1897, he was with her for the whole of her fairly prominent role in the Second Boer War: not only was she commanded by the infamous Captain Reginald Charles Prothero ('Prothero the Bad') - a man of violent temper and few good words for either officers or crew - but she was the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Harris, C-in-C Cape of Good Hope Station. At least one of H.M.S. Doris's Q.F. 4.7-in. guns, mounted on an improvised field carriage, was used in the field during the campaign and carried the affectionate nickname 'Joe Chamberlain'; undoubtedly Able Seaman Mitchell accompanied 'Joe' ashore and saw much active service.

Post-war Mitchell remained in the Royal Navy and, despite earlier misdemeanours, when he was Pensioned ashore in October 1908 he had reached the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class and his character was assessed as 'Very Good'.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£160