Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Petty Officer T. Saxby, Royal Navy, who served ashore from H.M.S. Exmouth during the Messina Earthquake Rescue Operations of December 1908

1914-15 Star (236104. T. Saxby. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (236104 T. Saxby. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (236104 T. Saxby. P.O. H.M.S. Yarmouth.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver (T. Saxby H.M.S. Exmouth. 28-Dec. 08) contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine (5) £180-£220

Thomas Saxby was born in Bow, London, on 22 April 1889 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 18 March 1906. He was posted to H.M.S. Exmouth on 4 December 1906, and promoted Able Seaman on 1 April 1908, serving in the Exmouth in the aftermath of the Messina Earthquake of December of that year, and was one of the ratings that was actually landed from the ship in order to participate in the rescue operations. He saw further service during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, including H.M.S. Royal Sovereign from 18 April 1916 to 17 July 1917. Promoted Leading Seaman on 1 November 1915, and Petty Officer on 1 May 1918, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 2 May 1922, and was advanced to his ultimate rate of Chief Petty Officer on 25 December 1927. He was shore pensioned on 21 April 1929 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day.