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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 211

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (J. Sharp, A.B., H.M.S. Porpoise.), slightly loose suspension, good very fine

One of 237 Somaliland 1902-04 clasps issued to the crew of Porpoise.

James Sharp was born at Leighton Buzzard, Bedford on 6 November 1881, he enlisted on 23 July 1898 as Boy Class II. Advanced Ordinary Seaman with H.M.S. Minotaur on 6 November 1899 and Able Seaman while with the Stone Frigate Duke of Wellington on 1 January 1901. Sharp joined Porpoise on 23 April 1903 and served with her off Somaliland where she was engaged in hunting gun runners trying to supply the Mullah's forces.

Later being advanced Leading Seaman in 1908 he served for several further years, finally being discharged on 5 November 1911 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the next day. On the outbreak of the Great War Sharp was mobilised for service and posted initially to the ageing armoured cruiser Leviathan. He was aboard her when she was attacked by U-12 in 1915 however the U-Boat was unsuccessful.

Going ashore on 1 January 1916 he was to serve ashore for the rest of the conflict. Sharp was demobilised on 16 February 1919 but was remobilised on 9 April 1921 in response to the intended strike action that year. He was demobilised again on 6 June; sold together with copied research.


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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£70