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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 415

(x) Three: Sick Berth Steward W.C. De Cent, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894 (W. De Cent, 2 Sk.B.Stewd, H.M.S. Alecto.); British War and Victory Medals (132464 W. C. Decent. S.B.S. R.N.), toned, very fine and scarce (3)

Walter Chambers De Cent was born at Enfield, Middlesex on 17 March 1869. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 31 July 1888 as an Assistant Sick Berth Steward. His early career saw him serve on a number of vessels, shore bases and naval hospitals. Posted to the paddle steamer Alecto from 1 October 1893 until 9 October 1894 for the expeditions up the Gambia and Benin Rivers, he qualified for his two clasp East & West Africa medal, of which there were 57 'Gambia 1894' clasps and 44 'Benin River 1894' clasps to Alecto.

At the commencement of the Great War he was serving on H.M.S. Surly, an early Torpedo Boat Destroyer, from 7 July 1915 until 6 July 1915 and was then shore based for the remainder of the war until he was shore pensioned on 18 December 1919. Leaving the Navy, Walter became a grocer establishing a shop in the High Street at Bridge, near Canterbury, Kent which he owned for over 30 years. He died at Bridge on 30 September 1940 and is buried at St. Peter's Churchyard, Bridge; sold together with copied research.

Further entitled to the 1914-15 Star.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£520

Starting price
£140