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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 401

(x) Five: Leading Boatswain J. Bale, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (J. Bale, A.B. H.M.S. Phoebe); 1914-15 Star (149615. J. Bale. Lg. Btn., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (149615 J. Bale. L.S. R.N.); Royal Naval L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (149615 James Bale, Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.), light contact marks to the first and last, otherwise very fine and better (5)

One of 232 Benin 1897 clasps awarded to the crew of Phoebe.

James Bale was born on 29 January 1894 at Tiverton, Devon and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 29 January 1892 as Boy 2nd Class. He was promoted Boy 1st Class aboard Impregnable, Ordinary Seaman with Calypso, and Able Seaman with Bellerophon. Posted to Phoebe with that rank on 13 November 1895, he was with her on the Cape and West African Station when the Benin Expedition was launched in 1897. Bale served with the vessel during that time, later transferring to H.M.S. Penelope on 12 April 1897.

Transferring to the Coastguard on 21 December 1901 as a Boatswain, Bale was serving in Northern Ireland from 12 August 1903 and during this time was awarded his L.S. & G.C. on 8 February 1907. He then served with Rosslare from 26 January 1912 to 31 July 1914.

Briefly serving aboard Excellent from 1 August 1914 to 21 December 1914, before serving on Queen Elizabeth for the duration of the war, he reached the rank of Leading Seaman and completed his service on 26 January 1919 before joining the Royal Fleet Reserve.

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

Sold for
£300

Starting price
£210