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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 666

The 1920 M.B.E. group of five awarded to Naval Schoolmaster F. J. Fletcher, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1917; Egypt and Sudan 1882-1889, dated reverse (F. J. Fletcher, Nav: Schmr. H.M.S. "Invincible"); British War Medal 1914-20 (52695 F. J. Fletcher. Nl. Schlmr. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R. (F. J. Fletcher, Nl. Schoolmr., H.M.S. St. Vincent); Khedive's Sudan 1882, unnamed as issued, pitting, contact wear, nearly very fine (5)

M.B.E. London Gazette 30 March 1920.

Frederick John Fletcher was born at Greenwich on 7 August 1855 and enlisted as Boy Class I (Pupil Teacher) on 1 January 1873. Reaching his majority in December he was advanced Ordinary Seaman (Pupil Teacher), a rank he was to serve in for over three years before being appointed Naval Schoolmaster on 1 January 1877.

Joining the crew of Minotaur on 18 September 1879 as part of the British naval forces in the Mediterranean he was transferred to Invincible just prior to the bombardment of Alexandria. This vessel served as Admiral Seymour's flagship during the action, giving the signal to commence firing at the Ras El Tin Palace defences. While targeting Fort Mex she grounded herself and had to be freed by the gunboat Condor.

Fletcher continued to serve with appointments on St. Vincent and Firequeen during that time. Eventually he was pensioned ashore in 1908 before returning to service on in 1915 for the Great War. He was to serve ashore in his old rank from July - November before being invalided on 4 November, earning him a British War Medal as his full entitlement. Instead he undertook a civil role as Examiner of Dockyard Work for the Admiralty. It was for this that he was awarded his M.B.E. in 1920 at the end of a long and varied career; sold together with a London Gazette extract and service papers.

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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£130