Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Chief Carpenter’s Mate W. J. Underdown, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (W. Underdown, Car. Mte. H.M.S. Alecto.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. J. Underdown. Ch. Car. Mte. H.M.S. Fantome.) light contact marks to last, very fine (2) £280-£320

William John Underdown was born on 1 August 1861 in Rye, Sussex and enlisted into the Royal Navy on 2 April 1889. He served as Carpenter’s Mate on H.M.S. Alecto between 18 January 1896 and 31 March 1897 during which time he qualified for the East and West Africa Medal with Benin 1897 clasp. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 11 May 1904 while he was serving with H.M.S. Fantome and was pensioned ashore on 6 March 1911. He was recalled briefly for dockyard duty on 2 August 1914 and served until 12 September 1914.

Sold with copied record of service.