Description
East and West Africa Medal, bar Benin 1897, Royal Naval Long Service Medal, Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick Diffey, Royal Navy, HMS Forte and Victory, in the Navy since a boy of 15.
Modern mounted for wear or display.
E&W Africa officially impressed: “F. Diffey, P.O. 1. CL., H.M.S. Forte.”
RNLSGC Officially impressed: “Fredk Diffey, P.O. 1 CL., H.M.S. Victory.”
Both medals earned as Petty Officer 1st Class near the end of his career, just before his untimely death during 1901.
Frederick Walter Diffey, was born on Christmas Day, 25th December 1866 in Longfleet, Dorset, by the seaside in Poole.
He had first joined the Royal Navy at HMS Boscawen on 15th August 1882 as a Boy 2nd Class when he was just 15 years old.
Advanced to Boy 1st Class on 8th August 1883.
Ordinary Seaman on HMS Wrangler, 25th December 1884, on his 18th Birthday, beginning his Man Service.
A.B. Able Seaman, HMS Sultan, 1st August 1886.
Saw a number of promotions:
HMS Immortalite from 1st July 1890 – 25th May 1894.
During this time he had joined on 1st July 1890 with a promotion to Leading Seaman.
Promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class, 28th October 1891.
Petty Officer 1st Class on 13th September 1893.
Served on HMS Forte from 5th November 1895 – 12th December 1897, during which time he earned his first campaign medal for Benin.
He was the Petty Officer of HMS Majestic from 9th July 1899 until 12th July 1901, he was invalided on 9th August 1901, and died in Portsea, Hampshire aged only during on October 25th 1901.
