Description
China Medal 1900, Third Anglo China War, bar Relief of Pekin, Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick William Roberts, HMS Orlando, one of the veterans of the ship in the Naval Brigade.
Officially impressed: “F. W. Roberts, P.O. 1 CL. H.M.S. Orlando.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, for medal and clasp. Served under service number 109054.
With copy Service Papers.
Having retired years earlier back in 1901 after returning home from China following 21 years in the Royal Navy, he returned to the Royal Navy to earn the rare Naval Meritorious Service Medal, in the London Gazette of 4th July 1919, at the time he was recently serving at the Naval Transport Office in Newhaven.
For his World War 1 Service he received only the British War Medal, for serving at Home and the Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal GV.
Frederick William Roberts, was born on 13th August 1863 in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
He first joined the Royal Navy on 13th May 1879 when working as a young “Errand Boy” aged 15 years old.
Starting off as a Boy 2nd Class at HMS Boscawen, he was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 4th August 1880, before becoming of age and being rated as an Ordinary Seaman on 13th August 1881 on HMS Penelope.
He would see service on HMS Duncan (1882), HMS Dido (1882-3), HMS Terror (1883) before joining HMS Griffon (1883-4) where he became an AB or Able Seaman.
What followed as a period of time at HMS Excellent (Dec 84 – 19th March 1886) before joining H.M. Torpedo Boat No 22, from March 86 until June 86.
Then serving on HMS Alexandra (July 86 to Dec 86)
Before joining another Torpedo Boat, HM Torpedo Boat No 21 during December 86.
Followed by Alexandra again from Dec 86 to June 1889.
He would finally see switch advancement on a 3 year posting around Australia with HMS Kingarooma.
He served on the ship from 10th Feb 1891 until 8th May 1894, seeing various promotions.
Leading Seaman, 1st August 1891, Petty Officer 2nd Class 1st Jan 1894, Petty Officer 1st Class, 1st Jan 1894.
He would remain as Petty Officer 1st Class for the remainder of his career, serving in the lead up to China on various ships, the Excellent, Vernon, Boscawen, Minotaur etc.
Joining HMS Orlando as a PO 1st Class on 16th February 1899 he would serve on board throughout the China War until 17th June 1901.
With his service coming to a close he served on the Centurion from 18th June 1901 until 19th August 1901, being discharged soon after at the Duke of Wellington I on 30th September 1901 to his pension following a full career.
Having then joined the Royal Fleet Reserve he would return about 13 years later to service in World War 1.
His WW1 service as follows:
Vivid I, Petty officer 1st Class, 2nd August 1914 – 5th October 1914
HMS Excellent, 6th October 1914 – 30th November 1918
HMS President VI (N.T.O. Newhaven), 1st December 1918 to 21st February 1919.
During World War 1 he served only at Home, as he was well into his 50s at the time but had a wealth of experience through his career.
He would serve at the Divisional Naval Transport Office in Newhaven from Dec 1918 until Feb 1919.
Shortly afterwards he would be awarded the rare Naval issue of the Meritorious Service Medal on 4th July 1919.
