Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War O.B.E. group of five awarded to Commodore J. F. Pinchin, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who plied the world's maritime trade routes for almost fifty years

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. F. Pinchin. R.N.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. J. F. Pinchin. R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (John F. Pinchin); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. J. F. Pinchin. R.N.R.) gilding worn to first, otherwise very fine and better (5) £300-£400

O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 1 April 1919:
‘For valuable services in the Red Sea and E. Indies in Command of H.M.S. Scotia.'

John Fitzmaurice Pinchin was born in Egremont, Cheshire, in 1856, and first went to sea in the 'old windjammer' Bowfell, owned by the Brocklebank Line, which traded between Liverpool and Calcutta. Appointed 3rd Mate aboard Morpesia in 1877, Pinchin's early years of service were not without incident, notably when he deserted this vessel at Melbourne, reason unknown. Transferred to the Fort George in 1878 and raised 1st Mate aboard Bedfordshire in 1881, he passed his Master's Certificate at Liverpool in July 1881.

Joining the Inman Line, Pinchin is noted in Holyhead and the Great War as serving aboard the City of New York which was tasked with conveying the 4th Dragoon Guards to Egypt. His Statement of Service further notes active service in Egypt in 1882. Transferred to the London & North Western Railway as Chief Officer in 1885, Pinchin took on a new role tasked with the safe passage of passengers, goods, and cattle between the Ports of Howth, Dublin, Greenore, Kingstown and Holyhead. Advanced Captain and later Commodore, he excelled in this role and took great pride in never having had a serious mishap. It also offered the opportunity to command nearly every Steamer in the Fleet.

In 1908, witnessing increased passenger numbers and movement of goods across the Irish Sea, the London & North Western Railway Company determined to operate a new express service between Holyhead and Kingstown, and placed Captain Pinchin in command of Scotia. Requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1914 and fitted out as an Armed Boarding Steamer, the newly appointed Temporary Lieutenant Pinchin, Royal Naval Reserve, initially led her south on patrols of the Irish Sea in search of submarines. Transferred to the Mediterranean, Dardanelles and the Red Sea, The Holyhead Chronicle notes that whilst patrolling the latter, H.M.S. Scotia went into action against a Turkish fort. Pinchin was later congratulated by his superiors for 'good firing', the fort being suitably destroyed. On another occasion, Pinchin and his crew rescued under fire Commander Norman D. Holbrook, V.C., in his damaged submarine, which was subsequently towed 200 miles to Alexandria.

With his health failing, Pinchin was brought ashore in 1917 and posted to the Trade Division in July 1917. He briefly served as Naval Vice Consul at Aalesund in Norway, but his appointment was terminated, due to his being physically unfit, in the spring of 1918. Returned home, Pinchin was invested with the O.B.E. at Buckingham Palace on 23 July 1920, the original recommendation to the First Sea Lord affectionately referring to him as 'a bluff old sailor' and 'a really fine fellow'. One of the younger brethren of Trinity House, and undoubtedly one of the most experienced men to serve in the Royal Naval Reserve during the Great War, Commodore Pinchin died at Conway in 1929.

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