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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 316

(x) Four: Chief Carpenter’s Mate R. W. Lavers, Royal Navy

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (R. W. Lavers, Car: Mate. H.M.S. Rattlesnake. 73-74.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (R. W. Lavers. Ch. Carp’s Mte. H.M.S. “Thalia”); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Robt W. Lavers. Ch. Carp. Mte. H.M.S. Falcon), impressed naming; Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued, contact marks, otherwise very fine (4)

Robert William Lavers served briefly on H.M.S. Challenger as a Carpenter's Mate, completing vital repairs and improvements. He was born on 9 January 9 1841 at Stoke Damerel, Devon and joined the Royal Navy on 6 April 1870 as a Carpenter's Mate. He saw active service aboard Rattlesnake during the early part of Ashantee War of 1873-74 (Medal). On 16 November 1873, along with six other men from Rattlesnake (Joseph Gale, Carpenter's Mate; George McCallum Cauker; John P. Mortimer, Cauker; Joseph Sturgeon, Shipwright; George Head, Shipwright and Samuel Lane, Carpenter's Crew) he spent two weeks on board Challenger whilst she was at Simon's Bay. Their work completed, they all were transferred to Rattlesnake via Flora (2-9 December). At that time Lavers stood at 5 foot, 6¼ inches tall with dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a ruddy complexion.

He saw further active service aboard Thalia (Medal without clasp; bronze Star). Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in February 1884, he was put ashore with pension on 20 February 1888; sold together with copied service records.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£380

Starting price
£280