Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Polar Medal group of six for Scott’s last expedition awarded to Chief Petty Officer Arthur Samuel Bailey, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (179097 C.P.O. A. S. Bailey, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (179097 C.P.O. A. S. Bailey, R.N.); Polar Medal 1904, G.V.R., 1st issue, silver, 1 clasp, Antarctic 1910-13 (179097 A. S. Bailey, P.O. 2Cl., Terra Nova); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (179097 C.P.O. A. S. Bailey, H.M.S. Queen); together with his Royal Geographical Society, Scott Memorial Medal 1913 (179097 A. S. Bailey, P.O.I Terra Nova. B.A.E.) 55mm., bronze, in case of issue, good very fine and better (6) £6000-8000

Arthur Samuel Bailey was born in Prinstead, Sussex on 25 December 1878. A Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on St. Vincent on 9 April 1894. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class in April the following year and promoted to Ordinary Seaman in December 1896 when on Australia. He was further promoted to Able Seaman in May 1898 when on Royal Arthur, to Leading Seaman in November 1902 on Boscawen and Petty Officer 2nd Class in December 1906 when on Sealark. As such he served on the Terra Nova during the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13, being a member of the shore party. Returning home, he was posted to the pre-dreadnought battleship Queen in August 1914, serving initially with the Channel Fleet and then in the Mediterranean. Whilst on the ship he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer in October 1915. He continued to serve in the Mediterranean until April 1916 when he was posted to England. For his wartime services he was mentioned in despatches. He was demobilised on 1 November 1919.

With copied service papers and a copied photograph of the crew of the Terra Nova which includes Bailey. Also with a bullion cap badge.