Three: Petty Officer (Rigger) 1st Class J. Whitcher, Royal Navy

Royal Victorian Medal, V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (P.O. 1 Cl. (Rigger), H.M.Y. Victoria & Albert), impressed naming; Jubilee 1897, bronze, edge nicks and contact marks, generally very fine (3) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee.

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John Whitcher was born in Southampton in September 1856 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class in September 1873. Not having witnessed any active service, he joined the royal yacht Victoria & Albert in October 1882, the beginning of a lengthy commission that witnessed him gaining advancement to Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1895, the year in which he also received his L.S. & G.C. Medal. Indeed Whitcher actually remained employed in the royal yacht until being pensioned ashore in May 1901, shortly after he had been awarded his R.V.M. for services at Queen Victoria’s funeral.