Description
China 1900, 2 bars, Taku Forts, Relief of Pekin, A.E. Briggs, Ordinary Seaman, HMS Aurora. Rare combination who also served in the Royal Australian Navy, on attachment from the Royal Navy throughout World War 1.
Officially impressed: “A.E. Briggs, Ord, H.M.S. Aurora”
Confirmed on the medal roll, only 46 issued to the ship with 2 bars, out of 545 medals for their involvement in the Naval Brigade.
A very rare 2 bar medal, the Royal Navy earned 11082 medals for the war, only 299 would be issued like this with both clasps.
With copy service papers spanning from 1895 until 1927.
Awarded the Naval LSGC on 22nd May 1915.
Albert Edward Briggs was born on 16th February 1878 in the Village of Charles in Devon.
He first attested for service on 21st September 1895 as a Boy 2nd Class aged 17.
Promoted Boy 1st Class on 22nd December 1895 and after becoming of age, to Ordinary Seaman on 2nd April 1896.
He joined HMS Aurora on 16th February 1899 and would served throughout the Third Anglo Chinese War aka the Boxer Rebellion until he left the ship on 17th April 1902.
During this time he was also promoted to Able Seaman on 7th February 1901.
Having served on HMS New Zealand from August 1909 until 31st July 1911, following some time at Vivid I he would become attached to the fledgling Royal Australian Navy seeing service with the R.A.N. throughout the whole of World War 1.
His WW1 service as follows, “Sent to R.A.N. 25th October 1914”
“HMAS Fantone, 7th Feb 1914 – 24th October 1914
HMAS Penguin, 25th Oct 1914 – 26th Nov 1914
HMAS Fantone, 27th Nov 1914 – 26th February 1915
HMAS Penguin, 27th Feb 1915 – 26th July 1915
HMAS Fantone, 27th July 1915 – 16th October 1917
HMAS Cerberus, 17th October 1917 – 20th nov 1917
Royal Australian Navy London Depot, 21st Nov 1917 – 31st March 1918”
After this time he revered back to the Royal Australian Navy.
Following the war he would continue his services into the 1920s with the RFR, serving on HMS Collossus, 1921
HMS Glorious 1921-24, HMS Dartmouth 24 and HMS Thunderer 1924-1926.
Following this he was “transferred to JX 126655 on reduction of pay 1926”
A note reads “Joined R.F.R. 22nd March 1918”.
His service were then expanded on his 3rd set of service papers, noting he was at HMS Erebus 1926-27, Carysfort (Erebus) 1927 and then discharged from Carysfort on 16th August 1927.
By the time of discharge his total service since joining the Royal Navy amounted to about 32 years.
