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Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 340

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (291961. J. Hard, S.P.O. H.M.S. Excellent.), contact wear, pitting to edge, edge bruising, nearly very fine

James Hard was born at Billingshurst, Sussex on 10 January 1881. Enlisting on 10 April 1899 with the rank of Stoker Class II he served first at the Training Establishment Duke of Wellington II. Transferring to H.M.S. Hannibal on 7 January 1900 he was promoted Stoker on 1 April 1900 and Stoker Class I on 1 July 1906. While serving aboard H.M.S. Fisgard from 2 March 1912 he was promoted Leading Stoker on 13 June, leaving the establishment on 21 June. In the opening years of the Great War Hard served at shore establishment including H.M.S. Victory, on which he was promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 June 1914 and H.M.S. Excellent. However on 15 February 1916 he was posted aboard the Light Cruiser H.M.S. Birkenhead, the next year as part of 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron Birkenhead took part in the Battle of Jutland. After the war on 20 May 1919 Hard returned to the shore establishment Excellent where he received his L.S. & G.C. Serving aboard H.M.S. Vindictive from 5 July 1919-11 January 1921 he witnessed the transformation of that vessel into an aircraft carrier. Shore pensioned 29 June 1921.

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Sold for
£55

Starting price
£20