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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 368

Three: Able Seaman G. P. Champion, Royal Navy, who committed a number of offences whilst in service, the most serious was in 1901 when he went 'on the run' receiving 24 cuts of the birch when recovered by the authorities; he served on H.M.S. Canterbury at the Battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (203221, G. P. Champion. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (203221 G. P. Champion. A.B. R.N.), very fine (3)

George Peter Champion was born at Highgate, London on 1 August 1883. On leaving school he was employed as a Van Guard (an assistant on horse drawn commercial vehicles) at the tender age of 14.

He joined the Royal Navy in the rating of Boy Second Class on 17 February 1899 and was posted initially to Impregnable and then Lion. Promoted Boy 1st Class on 16 November 1899, he remained with Lion and at the time his conduct was rated very good. On 19 April 1901 he went 'on the run' and was recovered just under a month later. He was sentenced and received 24 cuts of the Birch which was carried out when he was returned to his ship on 18 May 1901.

Further offences were committed in 1903 and 1906; he was confined to the cells for his trouble. In October 1908 he was discharged to shore having purchased his discharge for £8 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. His bad habits continued and in 1914 he lost his good conduct badge, restored in June 1915, he lost it again in December 1915. On 2 May 1916 he was posted to Canterbury with whom he served at Jutland. In July 1916 he was again sentenced to 28 days detention, a further 5 days detention followed in April 1917. Despite his continuous infractions he qualified for his good conduct stripe in April 1918.
In spite of his persistent offending resulting in several stays in the 'cells' and receiving the birch his conduct was rated very good when he was discharged to shore on 21 February 1919; sold together with copied research including a small photograph of Champion.


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Sold for
£90

Starting price
£40