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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 431

(x) Four: Petty Officer W. Carpenter, Royal Navy, who served ashore with H.M.S. Forte during the Anglo-Boer War

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (176202 A-B: W. Carpenter, H:M:S: Forte), the naming officially impressed in a later style; 1914-15 Star (176202 W. Carpenter. P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (176202 W. Carpenter. P.O. R.N.), light contact marks, very fine and scarce (4)

One of 23 five-clasp Q.S.A.s to H.M.S. Forte.

Walter Carpenter was born at Hempstead, Hertfordshire on 28 December 1877 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as Boy Class II on 4 October 1893. Reaching his majority with the cruiser H.M.S. Aeolus, he was further promoted Able Seaman with Undaunted on 1 September 1896.

Joining the crew of Forte on 20 April 1899 and serving with the Naval Brigade she landed during the Anglo-Boer War, being one of the party which manned guns during the battles around the Tugela Heights. Carpenter was advanced Petty Officer Class II on 1 November 1901, after his service in South Africa.

Serving with Niobe on the outbreak of the Great War, left her on 23 September 1915 and joined H.M.S. Mona's Isle on 16 November 1915. This was used by the Royal Navy largely to lay anti-submarine nets however she had several other roles, largely performed around the Irish coastline. One memorable duty occurred when a Dutch Merchant ship carrying gold bullion was sunk by a U-Boat, Mona's Isle was used as a base for the salvage teams who recovered the precious gold. This mission was made far more perilous as the U-Boats remained in the area and could easily have attacked the stationary ship.

Carpenter joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 23 December 1917 but remained with Mona's Isle, he was later demobilised on 29 August 1919.

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

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£170