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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 86

Pair: Sick Berth Steward A. W. Woodward, Royal Navy, who saw service with the Gambia expedition aboard Swallow

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (350428. S.B.Adt. A. W. Woodward. H.M.S. "Forte"); Africa General Service 1902-1956, 1 clasp, Gambia (A. W. Woodward, S.B.A., H.M.S. Forte), heavy contact marks and minor contact wear, nearly very fine (2)

29 'Gambia' clasps to H.M.S. Forte.

Albert William Woodward was born at Greenwich, London on 1 December 1874 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 31 August 1896. Posted first to the Royal Haslar Hospital as a Probationary Sick Berth Attendant, his first posting afloat was the training ship Caledonia on 3 November 1899, by which time he had been confirmed in his rank.

Joining the cruiser Forte on 20 April 1899 Woodward was still with her upon her entry into the Anglo-Boer War. Here she served in the Natal province of the cape with a number of her crew, including Woodward being awarded the Natal clasp as a result. Posted to the West African station by early 1901 Forte was still here on the outset of the Gambia Expedition.

This armed column led by Lieutenant-Colonel H. E. J. Brake, Royal Artillery was assembled to protect the District Commissioners on their tour of the rebellious protectorate. Notably the only clasps awarded to naval personnel were awarded to those who came under fire at Dumbutu on 11 January 1901. These numbered 29 from Forte, 49 from Thrush and 2 from Dwarf. That Woodward was to be found at Dumbutu, south of the river by some distance, suggests that he may have come ashore to help deal with casualties or invalid cases.

Regardless he clearly survived the encounter going on to be promoted Sick Berth Steward class II while still with Forte on 1 July 1901. Serving with a number of institutions over the next decade including Chatham Hospital, the cruiser Sutlej and H.M.S. Cumberland. By this stage promoted to Sick Berth Steward class I he was serving with the battleship Formidable when, on 20 April 1913, he was discovered drunk on duty in the Sick Bay. Imprisoned for ten days and reduced in rank to Sick Berth Attendant, Woodward returned ashore on 4 May 1913 and was discharged the next day; sold together with a copied service record.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£280