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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 459

Sold by Order of the Family

A well-documented campaign group awarded to Stoker Petty Officer A. Joyner, Royal Navy & Royal Australian Navy, who served aboard H.M.A.S. Sydney throughout the Great War - this saw him share in the capture of German New Guinea and in the famed Emden action of 9 November 1914

1914-15 Star (299995 A. Joyner, S.P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (299995 A. Joyner. S.P.O. R.N.); H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal 1914, silver, 32mm, presented by the people of Western Australia, named on the reverse 'A. Joyner. Lead Stoker'; H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican 8 Réales dated ‘1895’, mounted by W. Kerr, Sydney, small chop marks to both sides, together with another Mexican 8 Réales dated ‘1870’, this latter pierced with riband as worn; Visit of the Commonwealth Fleet to Syndey, 4 October 1913; Royal Australian Navy Returned from Active Service Badge, the reverse numbered '4785', very fine (8)

Arthur Joyner was born at Ryde, Isle of Wight on 6 November 1883 and was a labourer upon his joining the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 10 February 1902. On 27 June 1913 he was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy (No. 7949) and served aboard H.M.A.S. Sydney until 1 September 1919. In that period, Joyner shared in her famous actions of the Great War; his Service Record notes his participation in the capture of German New Guinea and in the famed Emden action off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 9 November 1914. In a short but spectacular career in the Indian Ocean the Emden (Captain Karl von Müller) had bombarded Madras and captured or sunk some 23 allied vessels including a Russian cruiser and a French destroyer. In action with the Sydney, the slower and outgunned Emden was eventually beached in a wrecked condition on North Keeling Island. Müller’s decision to run his battered ship ashore to save what remained of his crew allowed the Royal Navy to recover weapons, fire control instruments and documents for analysis and evaluation. It also allowed the Commonwealth Government to secure souvenirs to celebrate the Royal Australian Navy’s first victory at sea. One of the complete guns which was salvaged is now preserved at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, whilst the other is on display at the R.A.N.’s Heritage Centre, Garden Island, Sydney. The two barrels are also at the Heritage Centre.

Joyner was duly rewarded with his share of the Emden Prize Bounty, being paid on 1 December 1916. He joined the books of Australia on 2 September 1919 and also served with Parramatta and Penguin. He was discharged ashore with a Pension - but not entitled to a L.S. & G.C. Medal - on 9 June 1922. He served briefly in the Merchant Navy in the late 1920's.

Sold together with the following original archive:

(i)
His Certificate of Service and Merchant Certificate of Service.

(ii)
An Emden charm, of jade-like carved stone, with gold band, this engraved 'H.M.A.S. Sydney 9.11.14', together with a 'Kreuzer Emden' cap tally, this surely captured from a survivor.

(iii)
A photograph album, featuring a plethora of images of Joyner, his comrades and family.

(iv)
A selection of original documents, certificates and service letters.

(v)
Framed display of the action, featuring three postcard images and two silk cigarette cards.

For further family Medals, please see Lot 580.

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

Sold for
£5,800

Starting price
£1400