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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 460

(x) Five: Officer's Steward L. Stubbington, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (357191, L. Stubbington, D.S.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (357191 L. Stubbington. O.S.1. R.N.); Royal Navy, L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (357191 Leonard Stubbington, Off. Std. 1Cl. H.M.S. Hecla); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, the last two with some minor contact wear, overall good very fine (5)

Leonard Stubbington was born at Bishops Walton, Hampshire on 4 January 1881 and worked as a Gardner prior to enlisting with the Royal Navy on 12 March 1899 as Domestic Class II. He served with a number of vessels through the turn of the century including Comus and Charybdis being advanced Domestic Class I on 28 February 1905 whilst ashore at Victory I. Posted to Euryalus on 4 September 1907 Stubbington was promoted Officer's Steward Class II less than a month later on 1 November.

He was still serving in this rank the next year on 28 December 1908 when a massive earthquake-measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale- rocked the Messina strait between Italy and Sicily. A tsunami with waves as high as 40 feet crashed down over the coastline and the estimated death toll is believed to be as high as 85,000. The nearest international ships including Euryalus rushed to provide assistance forming search parties for survivors and providing medical aid where possible. In gratitude the Italian Government approved the creation of a commemorative medal issued to those who landed to give aid. Doubtless as a Steward Stubbington was heavily involved in the relief efforts.

Soon promoted Officer's Steward Class I the next year on 8 February 1909 and went ashore that same year on 22 April. Stubbington was to serve aboard multiple vessels before the Great War including Terrible, Topaze and Patrol before going ashore at Chatham on 3 December 1912. He was still there on the outbreak of the Great War and served the first two years of the war there before joining the company of the tender H.M.S. Hecla on 1 July 1916.

Removing to the former minelayer, Apollo from 1 September 1917, notably as Officer's Steward Class I he would likely have served the Ship's Captain -later Rear Admiral- Arthur Wood, a 1st Class Cricketer. Remaining with Apollo until 1920 he was to serve aboard Crescent and Tiger before finally being demobilised on 23 October 1922; sold together with copied service papers.

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

Sold for
£600

Starting price
£110