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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 109

(x) Seven: Marine R. G. Seeley, Royal Marines, whose long career included action during the Defence of Antwerp in 1914

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (PO.12780 Bug R. G. Seeley. R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Prosperine); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (PO.12780 Bugler. R. G. Seeley, R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Prosperine.); 1914 Star, clasp (PO.12780.. Lce. Corpl. Bugler. R. G. Seeley, R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals (PO.12780 L.Cpl. R. G. Seely. R.M.L.I.); War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (PO.12780. R. G. Seely. Pte. R.M.L.I.), note different spelling of surname, light contact marks throughout, very fine (7)

Richard George Seely was born on 28 February 1889 at Stoke Newington, London and enlisted into the Royal Marines on 14 November 1903. Based at Portsmouth for the majority of his early service as a Bugler his first posting afloat was aboard Prosperine from 22 September 1908-3 July 1910. Seely landed at Ostend on 26 August 1914 and his papers show he served at Dunkirk from 19 September 1914 and was present at the Defence of Antwerp on 13 October 1914. He served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 28 April 1915 and was posted in the Dardanelles. After the failure of the Gallipoli campaign he was transferred to France from 11 July-18 October 1916.

Seely enrolled into the Royal Fleet Reserve on 9 August 1917 but was discharged on 27 January 1919, re-enlisting the following day into the Royal Marines. He served on Caroline from 26 June 1919 to 14 May 1921 and on Curacoa from 10 July 1922 to 11 May 1925. Terminating his second period of engagement on 27 February 1928 he was recalled to the Royal Marine Depot at Deal with the impending outbreak of the Second World War on 25 August 1939. He saw service at home until 16 October 1940 when he was found physically unfit for Royal Marine Service. His service however accounted for the award of the War Medal 1939-45; sold together with two original Certificates of Service.

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

Sold for
£850

Starting price
£480