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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 367

(x) Four: Stoker G. J. Finnerty, Royal Navy, later Royal Fleet Reserve

1914-15 Star (SS. 114126, G. J. Finnerty. Sto. 1., R. N.); British War and Victory Medals (S.S. 114126 G J. Finnerty. Act. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (S.S. 114126 (CH. B. 11196) G. J. Finnerty. Sto. 1. R.F.R.), very fine (4)

George James Finnerty was born at Deptford, London on 21 August 1894 and worked as a general labourer before he enlisted into the Royal Navy on 27 May 1913 as a Stoker Class 2 and soon after he was on Russell a Duncan Class pre-Dreadnaught Battleship on 2 October 1913 until 20 November 1914, 10 days in cells. serving in the 6th Battle Squadron, 7 July 1914 to Guernsey with British Government members for the unveiling of a monument for Victor Hugo. Russell was later sunk in April 1916. Weymouth 19 September 1916 which was assigned to the 6th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. In 1917 she was reassigned to the Mediterranean as part of the 8th Cruiser Squadron operating out of Brindisi. She was damaged by a torpedo from the Austro-Hungarian submarine SM U-31 on 2 October 1918. Promoted Acting Leading Stoker 24 October 1918, he leaves Weymouth 27 November 1918. Joined Royal Fleet Reserve 24 February 1919 with new service number CHB11196. He also had a Merchant Navy number 405783 as a Fireman and served on Steam Ship Tras-Os-Montes 2 April 1919. Steam Ship Graf Waldersee 17 September 1919 which originally a German ship then taken over by the Americans and on 26 December 1919 President Wilson surrendered seven former German ships, including Graf Waldersee, to the UK in settlement of the dispute between the two allies. The 35 Goanese cooks and stewards who had been detained on Ellis Island since 17 October were finally released to become part of Graf Waldersee's crew. Later he served on Steam Ships: Barrapool and in 1924 El Paraguayo, awarded long service medal on 14 February 1931 as Stoker First Class.
By 1939 he was a builder's labourer living in Mark Street, West Ham, during World War II he was part of the Rescue Squad, Civil Defence in the West Ham area. His son George was now serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died July 1960 in West Ham.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£30