Description
China Medal, 1900, Frederick Foster, Leading Stoker, HMS Wallaroo, confirmed on the roll with copy service papers.
Officially impressed: “F. Foster, Lg Sto., H M S Wallaroo” Some contact marking and general wear from a long career.
Scarce medal to the Wallaroo, 219 medals were awarded to the ship, a 2nd Class Cruiser, all without any bars.
Frederick Foster was born on 1st January 1868 in Rochester, Kent. Service Number: 145729
He first joined the Royal Navy on 19th June 1888 for 12 years, as a Stoker 2nd Class. He was promoted to Leading Stoker 2nd Class on 1st April 1899 on HMS Medusa, followed by Leading Stoker 1st Class on 5th July 1900 on HMS Pembroke II.
Finishing up his service on 27th June 1910 he was shore pensioned and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Chatham on 2nd July 1910.
With the outbreak of WW1 he joined HMS Pembroke II as Chief Stoker on 2nd August 1914 but was discharged on 6th October 1914 to the shore as medically unfit and did not earn any war medals.
