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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 569

Three: Marine W. H. Freemantle, Royal Marines late Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Navy, who joined underage at the tail end of the Great War and later saw service aboard M33 during the North Russian Intervention

British War and Victory Medals (PO.20287 Pte. W. H. Freemantle. R.M.L.I.); Royal Naval L.S. & G.C. (PO.20287 W. H. Freemantle. Mne. R.M.), overall contact wear, minor edge bruising and polishing, nearly very fine (3)

William Henry Freemantle was born at Portswood, Southampton n 15 August 1900. Working as a machinist prior to enlistment on 18 September 1917 at Southampton he was assigned to the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 4 April 1918. By the time it was discovered that he had joined underage he was already 18 and was soon posted a position with an M-29 class monitor M33. This vessel was one of those sent to take part in the North Russian Intervention, first supporting the Murmansk landings and later the campaign on the Dvina River. Freemantle left the monitor on 27 September 1919 and is listed as 'Don On Passage' in his records from September-27 October 1919.

Posted next to H.M.S. Canterbury- another survivor of the Russian Intervention- he served with her from 20 November 1919-17 September 1922 before returning to shore. He saw further service on a number of vessels including H.M.S. Iron Duke, Centurion and Furious- that last being after her conversion to an aircraft carrier. His period of service ended on 14 August 1939 however he was soon recalled to serve on 1 September that same year. Freemantle saw only home service during the Second World War at St. Vincent, a signal school and training centre and later with H.M.S. Caroline from 6 April 1941. He was again demobilised on 23 August 1943; sold together with copied service records and handwritten research.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£60