Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 171

A Great War 'Mediterranean' D.S.C. group of eleven to Captain R. E. Jeffreys, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarked for 1918; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. R. E. Jeffreys, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. E. Jeffrey. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; France, Legion of Honour, Officer's breast Badge, silver-gilt, silver and enamel; Italy, Al Valore Militare, silver (R. E. Jeffreys Durazzo 2-10-1918), mounted as worn, the last medal amateurly attached at a later stage, very fine overall (11)

D.S.C. London Gazette 17 May 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 October 1940.

Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, London Gazette 4 March 1947.

France, Legion of Honour London Gazette 22 April 1948.

Italy, Al Valore Militare London Gazette 17 January 1919.

Robin Edmund Jeffreys was born on 15 November 1890 and was the son of Major General H. B. Jeffreys C.B., C.M.G.. He was appointed Midshipman on 15 May 1908 and Sub Lieutenant on 15 May 1911. He served on Hibernia from 19 August 1915 until he joined Russell in February 1916. His service papers note that he 'showed exceptional coolness and devotion to duty after hoisting out, lowering and manning boats when Russell was sunk'. Russell was sunk on 27 April 1916 when she struck a German mine which had been laid by U-73 off the coast of Malta on 25 April 1916. He then joined King Alfred in July 1916 before joining Minotaur on 28 January 1917. Jeffreys briefly served on Lord Nelson from 13 August 1917 to 21 January 1918 before serving on Lowestoft from 22 January 1918 to 31 March 1919.

He was awarded his D.S.C. for services on the Mediterranean station London Gazette 17 May 1918. Jeffreys was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 15 October 1920 and continued to impress in his chosen career so much so that his papers note in 1926 that Admiral Keyes stated: 'The efficiency of the wireless equipment of the Fleet has been improved by the knowledge and initiative of this Officer, apart from being a very able wireless specialist he is an excellent Officer of Strong character who would do well in the higher ranks of the Service'. He was promoted to Commander on 31 December 1926 and was placed on the Retired List with the rank of Captain on 31 March 1937.

Jeffreys was recalled to the Royal Navy with the outbreak of the Second World War and served as the Naval Officer in charge of Brest, being 'mentioned' (London Gazette 4 October 1940) for his work. He then served as Chief of Staff to F.O.I.C. based at Liverpool before then serving as N.O.I.C., this time in Wellington, New Zealand. He was placed in charge of Naval communications and the training of personnel for assault force 'J'. After the war he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Flag Officer, Holland, and was awarded the Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau 3rd Class (London Gazette 4 March 1947), being personally presented by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. He was additionally awarded the Legion of Honour, 4th Class, for service to the Free French Naval Forces.

He retired from the Royal Navy in 1951 and became a member of Kent County Council and of the Leybourne Grange Hospital Management Group and was additionally President of the Faversham Sea Scouts. He died on 24 November 1963. His wife died on 17 January 1996 and her instructions upon her death were to destroy all photographs and papers relating to the family as she was the end of the line. Her godson (Mr Jolly) carried out this request and returned the Order of Orange Nassau to the Dutch Embassy.

Sold together with a miniature portrait of Jeffreys in naval uniform with a further one of him as a young boy, together with photocopied service papers and minor correspondence.

For the medals awarded to his son, please see Lot 233, and for his miniature dress medals please see Lot 275.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1100