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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 804

(x) A campaign group of five awarded to Private W. O. Meech, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was initially invalided from the service in 1902, only to return and witness service during the Battle of the Falkland Islands; crewmen from his ship and H.M.S. Bristol boarded two vital colliers supplying the German fleet under Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee and later scuttled both vessels

China 1900 (W. O. Meech. Pte. R.M.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (CH.9253, Pte. W. O. Meech, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (CH.9253 Pte. W. O. Meech. R.M.L.I.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (CH.9253 (B.1404) W. O. Meech. Pte. R.F.R.), minor staining to obverse of second, nearly very fine (5)

William Oscar Meech was born on 26 September 1878 at Holloway, London, the son of Amelia Meech of 30 Richmond Terrace, Clapham Road, London. A clerk by profession, Meech attested for the Royal Marine Light Infantry in London on 10 September 1896, being posted as Private to the recruit depot at Walmer. Discovered to be under age by 16 days, Meech served aboard a wide variety of ships and shore establishments including Duke of Wellington, Hood and Endymion. He was later present aboard the steel screw sloop H.M.S. Phoenix during the Boxer Rebellion, being posted to the Northwest Fort, Taku, until 3 July 1901. He is listed in the 1901 Census for England as a Member of the Garrison at Sinho, Peiho River, north China. Transferred briefly to Aurora, Meech's naval career with the R.M.L.I. was cut short on 9 May 1902 when he was invalided serving with Chatham Division; he was discharged 4 days later, his address given as 25 Fentiman Road, Clapham.

However Meech's military career was not over quite yet. In 1908 he enrolled into the Royal Fleet Reserve, returning to Chatham and completing training in drill. On 7 August 1914 he joined the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Macedonia, serving aboard her for the duration of hostilities, including regular voyages to Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. In 1914, after a short spell patrolling the harbour of Port Stanley, the Macedonia was commanded by the Chief of War Staff at the Admiralty, Sir Frederick C. D. Sturdee to destroy the enemy colliers Baden and Santa Isabel during the Battle of the Falklands; in company with the light cruiser Bristol the enemy vessels were duly sunk, the crews being given just 10 minutes to leave the ships.

Meech was demobilised on 10 May 1919, his character noted as 'very good' and his new address given as the village of Great Witley, Worcestershire; sold with copied service details and census record.


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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£250