Description
Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, named, engraved on the reverse to “F. A. London H.M.S. Dolphin”. Replacement ring on suspension
Unusual to be seen named to the Royal Navy.
Francis Albert London, was born in Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, on 13th June 1864, at which time his English born father Octavius London had been working in South Africa as a Salesman. They returned home to England when he was young, his father died in New Forest Hampshire during 1871.
On the day of Francis’s 17th Birthday, 13th June 1883, (He stated he was 1 year younger on his service records for some reason, South African Baptism records record his birth day at 13th June 1864 and baptised 11th July 1864, Navy Service Papers record birth day of 13th June 1865)
He joined HMS St Vincent as a Boy 2nd Class on 13th June 1881.
He saw the following service:
HMS Hector, 16th Oct 1882 – 13th Feb 1884
Duke of Wellington, 14th Feb 1884 – 30th April 1882
HMS Dolphin, 1st May 1884 – 31st July 1887.
HMS Hibernia, 1st AUgust 1887 – 7th Nov 1887.
HMS Duke of Well, 8th Nov 1887 – 12th Jan 1888
HMS Duncan, 13th Jan 1888 – 24th Feb 1888
HMS Hotspur, 25th Feb 1888 – 11th Oct 1891
HMS Pembroke, 12th Oct 1891 – 9th Nov 1891
HMS Philomel, 10th Nov 1891 – 19th July 1893.
HMS Victory I, 20th July – 23rd Aug 1893
Discharged after finishing his 12 years terms of service to shore, on 23rd August 1893: “Not allowed to re-enter as medically unfit).
Upon his discharge he settled near London and married during 1896 in Camberwell. Not long afterwards he died in St Pancras during 1898.
