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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 337

Four: Leading Seaman A. J. Till, Royal Navy, killed in action aboard the Clan McNaughton in the Irish Sea on 3 February 1915

East and West Africa 1887-90, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (A. G. Till, A. B., H.M.S. Theseus); 1914-15 Star (162520. A. J. Till L.S. R. N.); British War and Victory Medals (162520 A.J. Till. L.S. R. N.), very fine (4)

Arthur John Till was born on 24 July 1876 at Westminster, London. He joined the Royal Navy at the age of 12 and served aboard a number of ships most notably on Theseus during the Benin expedition. During this engagement the Theseus provided naval support to the British Columns seeking to capture Benin City with a number of Bluejackets and Royal Marines put ashore. The expedition achieved its aims although the crew of the Theseus suffered terribly with malaria towards the end of their mission.

Till re-enrolled in 1910, soon being found aboard H.M.S. Clan McNaughton, a converted merchantman. On 3 February 1915 the Clan McNaughton was patrolling of the North West Coast of Ireland when she sank during a heavy storm. It has never been ascertained whether the storm, the refitting or enemy activity claimed the vessel but the result was the same. Arthur Till was lost and is commemorated upon the Chatham Naval Memorial; sold with original packaging and letter conferring the 1914-15 Star Trio, a photograph supposed to be the recipient and Service Record.


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Sold for
£290

Starting price
£200