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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 175

The Great War C.B.E. and Italian Medal of Valour group of nine awarded to Captain F. E. M. Garforth, Royal Navy, who additionally survived the sinking of H.M.S. Russell when she struck two mines outside of Valetta harbour on 27 April 1916

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military), Commander's 1st Type neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (Lieut. F. E. M. Garforth, R.N., H.M.S. Orlando); 1914-15 Star (Commr. F. E. M. Garforth, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt F. E. M. Garforth. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1897, silver issue; Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, bronze issue, very fine or better (9)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

Italy, Bronze Medal for Valor London Gazette 16 November 1917.

For distinguished services rendered during the war.

Francis Edmund Musgrave Garforth was born at Clifton, Somerset, on 10 February 1874 and joined Britannia Naval College on 15 July 1887 until December 1889. He was promoted to Lieutenant 1 April 1897 and is confirmed on the roll for the Jubilee 1897 where he is attached to the German Flotilla office. Garforth served on Orlando in China returning once again in February 1905 serving on Bonaventure. He was promoted to Commander 31 December 1908 and served as Captain on Vengeance between 16 September 1912 - 9 January 1913 and then served on Russell between 27 May 1913 - 27 April 1916. Russell. On the early morning of 27 April 1916 while manoeuvring outside Valletta harbour, Russell struck two naval mines laid by German submarine U-73. This sparked a fire in the aft of the ship, followed by an explosion near one of the turrets, causing her to list dangerously. She floated about 20 minutes before capsizing and sinking, allowing most of her crew to escape. A total of 27 officers and 98 ratings lost their lives. Garforth then served at Haslar Camp between 1 June 1916 - 28 April 1919 and during this time was promoted to Acting Captain on 25 June 1916. After his service at Haslar, he became Captain on Amphitrite between 28 April 1919 - 1 May 1919 and during this period he was invested with his C.B.E. at Buckingham Palace on 29 March 1919. He then became Captain on Euryalus between 1 May 1919 - 2 October 1919 and then became the Senior Naval Officer at H.M. Naval Base Brightlingsea.
He finally served as Captain of Cicala between 4 February 1920 - 15 January 1922 and was placed on the Retired List with the rank of Captain at his own request on 6 June 1922. With the outbreak of the Second World War Garforth was appointed to be a Recruiting Officer for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on 26 August 1940 and was based at the Crown Buildings, James Watt Strett, Birmingham. However, in 1943 the Admiralty expressed their displeasure with Garforth's "irregular use of Government stationery." He died at 15 Norland Square, London on 11 August 1953.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£600