Description
Africa General Service Medal, EDVII, bar Somaliland 1902-04, Able Seaman Henry Beak, HMS Porpoise, who spent 2 years on the run having deserted his ship.
Officially impressed: “H. Beak. A.B. H.M.S. Porpoise.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, present on the Porpoise during the Somaliland Operations from April 1903 – Dec 1904.
About 237 of the crew earned this clasp.
Henry Beak had an odd period of his 12 years service with the Royal Navy, which took him 14 years to complete, as he had spent over 2 of those years as a Deserter on the run from the Royal Navy between 1900 and 1902.
Henry Beak was born on 8th May 1876, in Grove, Wickham, Kent.
As a boy, he had worked at the “Neptune Hall” on Harbour Street in Broadstairs, Kent, as a “Pot Boy” for the Wills Family, the pub is still going strong today.
21st October 1902, at the young age of 16, he signed up for service with the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class at HMS Impregnable.
One of his main ship’s postings during his career was 3 months on board HMS Vulcan, an unusual and unique Torpedo Boat Depot Ship stationed on the Mediterranean Station.
He served on her from 26th October 1896 until 14th December 1899, during which time he received his only promotion from Ordinary Seaman to A.B. on 19th February 1898.
After finishing his service on the Vulcan, shortly afterwards he found himself on HMS Duke of Wellington I over Christmas of 1899 receiving his first sentence in the “Cells” for 5 days about 31st December 1899.
He then joined HMS Excellent from 1st April 1900 until 17th April 1900.
On the 17th April 1900, having had his service graded as “Very Good”, he was reported as having ran from his ship and not returned.
Perhaps he was not the most genius of evaders, it looks like he is the same Henry Beak noted as a Farm Labourer living with his uncle back in Kent on the 1901 Census.
Over 2 years later the Royal Navy finally caught him, and he was “Recovered from Desertion on 28/5/1902 and sent to ship.”
As soon as he returned disciplinary proceedings began and on 3rd June 1902, he received a sentence of 90 days of Hard Labour from 6th June 1902.
That Christmas, he received his one and only service rating of “Indifferent” on 31st December 1902.
He joined HMS Porpoise on 23rd April 1903 serving on board until 10th December 1904.
During this time they were deployed to the Coast of Somaliland to assist in the ongoing operations against the “Mad Mullah” Mohammed Abdullah Hassan.
After his defeat at Jidballi, the ship returned home.
Having returned to form, he finished off his career on the Firequeen from 19th February 1905 until 7th May 1906, returning to his ratings of “Very Good” character.
Finishing off his 12 Years of Continuous Service, although it might have taken close to 15 years, he was discharged to shore and does not appear to have been enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve or liable for recall in World War 1.
