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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 216

Six: Chief Petty Officer E. J. Handcock, Royal Navy, who served with Theseus during the Benin expedition and later with destroyer H.M.S. Owl at the Battle of Jutland

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (E. J. Handcock. A.B., H.M.S. Theseus.); 1914-15 Star (172655, E. J. Handcock, Act. C.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (172655 E. J. Handcock. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (172655 E. J. Handcock, P.O. H.M.S Venerable.); 2nd Cruiser Squadron 1908 Medal, 1 clasp, Cape Town, contact wear overall, very fine (6)

Ernest James Handcock was born at Plymouth, Devon on 1 May 1877 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 8 April 1893 at the shore base Impregnable with the rank of Boy Class II. Reaching maturity aboard H.M.S. Repulse he was service with Thesus as an Able Seaman during the Benin expedition of 1897. The crew provided shore parties for the expedition and were plagued with malaria as a result, despite this the expedition was a success.

Handcock continued to serve, being stationed with a number of vessels during the period between the expedition and the Great War including Comus, Archer and Venerable. With the outbreak of the Great War H.M.S. Owl on the outbreak of the Great War with the rank of Petty Officer Handcock was still with this vessel during its participation in the Battle of Jutland. Owl, under Commander Hamond, was part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla. During the battle she was detached from the Flotilla and escorted the Second Cruiser Squadron.

After Jutland Handcock was promoted Chief Petty Officer on 1 August 1915 while still with Owl. Continuing to serve with the Royal Fleet Reserve on 6 June 1917 he was demobilised on 2 June 1919; sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£350