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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 124

A Great War group of four awarded to Shipwright 1st Class T. Harper, Royal Navy, who saw action in the Russian Intervention in 1919-20

1914-15 Star (343190 T. Harper, Shpt. 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (343190 T. Harper, Shpt. 1, R.N); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (343190 Thomas Harper, Shpt. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Europa), generally very fine (4)

Thomas Harper was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire on 4 October 1880 and entered the Royal Navy as Carpenter's Crew in January 1900. Advanced to Shipwright 1st Class in April 1915 and awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in February 1916, his service record further notes that he was at one stage 'sent for duty with C. J. Wills & Sons Ltd. At South Bank, York.'

In the period February 1919 to March 1920, Harper served in the cruiser Caradoc, thereby witnessing extensive action off Russia. In April 1919, Caradoc bombarded Bolshevik forces at Vladislovovka and Parpach but, three months later, while carrying out another bombardment - at Ochakov - she was hit by three shells from the Bolshevik batteries. Harper would also have been present when Caradoc supported the amphibious landings of the Volunteer Army near Odessa and, in mid-October, like operations near Yalta. He was finally pensioned ashore in January 1922.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£40