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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 420

Three: Painter Class III T. Young, Royal Navy, a rare example of an American-born sailor serving with the Royal Navy

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1920 (M.20538. T. Young, Ptr. 3Cl. H.M.S. Ark Royal); British War and Victory Medals (M.20538 T. Young. Ptr. 4 R.N.), sold together with an original archive, minor contact marks, very fine (3)

Thomas Young was born at Elizabeth, New Jersey on 12 November 1894 and worked as a painter and decorator prior to joining the Royal Navy as Painter Class III on 16 May 1916. Posted initially to the battleship Hibernia on 15 May 1916 he later joined Brilliant with which he remained until February 1918.

Young was posted to the seaplane tender Ark Royal on which he served from 5 November 1918. Posted first to the Black Sea to provide aircraft to the White Russian forces, she withdrew in late 1919 being posted to Somaliland to support Z Force. Her main role, other than delivering vital war material including aircraft and personnel, was to serve as a repair station for the aircraft.

Before the campaign finished Ark Royal was withdrawn back to the Black Sea. From there Young left her in March 1920 and was pensioned ashore on 1 June 1920; sold together with an archive comprising:

i)
Four photograph postcards of the recipient and the Ark Royal.

ii)
Service Records.

iii)
Certificate of Education.

iv)
A Naval Signal telegram dated April 1918.

v)
Naval Prize Fund distribution slip.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£70