Rising through the ranks he is seen in 1902-1904 serving as PO 2cl in HMS HUSSAR on patrol off Africa (Medal & Clasp issued). At the outbreak of WW1 he was serving ashore at Tamar until on 15th August 1916 he is seen crewing as PO 1cl in HMS DEFIANCE. It is apparent having actually served 19 years up to 1916 (inc' 2 years war service) that he received his L.S.G.C. while serving in HMS Defiance during late 1916.
He was then transferred to HMS PHEASANT (Destroyer) in which ship he was Killed In Action on 1st March 1917. Although the loss was thought to have been caused by the striking of a lose British mine, it's now thought that the ship was torpedoed by the German U-Boat UC-43 a mine laying submarine which was in the area at the time. The wreck of the Pheasant was discovered in 82 meters of water during 1996 by the Army Sub-Aqua Club.
[THE MEDALS .....AN UNUSUAL SITUATION]
At the end of WW1 there then ensued a very unusual situation as regarding his medals.
At the time of the issue of Fred's WW1 trio in 1922 it was clearly thought by the Royal Navy that Fred's original Africa Medal & his LSGC had become lost with him in the shipwreck of HMS PHEASANT in March 1917....So, at the time of the issue of Fred's 1914-15 trio, the navy sent his widow not only the trio but also another Africa Medal & another LSGC.
It then becomes clear that his original 'pair' were not lost after all, as the medals clearly showed up sometime later.
THE ORIGINAL PAIR Therefore, we now have:
The "Original" Africa Medal (Somaliland) & the "Original" LSGC, both as presented to Fred Lillis.
(and)
The post WW1 re-issued Africa Medal (Somaliland 1902-04), the one and only issue of the 1914-15 Trio, and the re-issued LSGC.
Neither of the two re-issued medals are marked as duplicates or replacements and they are perfectly normal issued impressed medals, but of course they carry the naming in WW1 style impressing, whereas the two original medals are impressed in the slightly earlier and larger RN style seriffed block capitals. Interestingly, and quite rightly, the Somaliland clasp on the second medal does not have the top loops for the addition of another clasp as of course poor Fred was dead! Also, as you will notice if you carefully study the enlarged photo of the naming on Fred's star that his surname LILLIS is spelt 'L1LL1S' the medal office operatives having used figure 1's instead of letter I's in the naming process.
All together this is a really special & highly unusual group. The really excellent feature of the medals is that they are all totally "mint state" with original untouched time developed toning and lustre. A visually lovely group.
An excellent Royal Navy casualty group of great quality with copy papers and a short history of the circumstances surrounding the sinking of HMS PHEASANT.
£1250 with part-exchanges welcome