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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 108

A highly unusual campaign group of three awarded to Deck Hand W. Crisp, Royal Naval Reserve, late Gunner, Royal Artillery

A veteran of the Younghusband Expedition to Tibet, with whom he saw active service with the Mountain Battery, Crisp thence went to sea during the Great War and was lost on 1 February 1916 - he was surely the only man with such a career

Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (5480 Gunr. W. Crisp 7th Mtn. By. R.G.A.), mounted as worn; British War and Victory Medals (480DA W. Crisp. D.H. R.N.R.), good very fine (3)

William Crisp was born at Raveningham, near Loddon, Norfolk in 18 May 1871 and was a labourer by trade upon his joining the Royal Artillery in August 1894 - at that time he lied about his age and stated he had been born in May 1874. He served with 7 Mountain Battery during the Tibet Expedition (Medal & clasp) and was discharged in December 1906.

Having settled at 39 Taylor Street, Grimsby, Crisp answered the call to arms and enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on 8 August 1914. Mobilised before his training was completed, he was lost from the Trawler Silicia - recorded as Silesia by CWGC - on 1 February 1916 and Discharged Dead as a result. Crisp is commemorated upon the Chatham Naval Memorial.

It is interesting to note that he was probably a scion of the famous Crisp family of Norfolk & Suffolk, most notable Skipper Thomas Crisp, who won the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Service Cross in Q-Ships.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£480