Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, no bar, 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medal, Royal Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, GV issue, Thomas Powell, CERA, Royal Navy, HMS Redbreast during Boer War.
QSA officially impressed: “268745 T. Powell, E.R.A. H.M.S. Redbreast”
1914-15 Trio Officially impressed: “268745 T. Powell, C.E.R.A. 1., R.N.”
RNLSGC Officially impressed: “268745 Thomas Powell, C.E.R.A. 1CL. H.M.S. Tamar”
All medals confirmed on medal rolls etc.
The QSA being rare to this small ship, which only earned 83 medals for their service during the Boer War.
Thomas Powell, was born on 7th January 1871 in the Parish of Aberkenfig in Newcastle Higher, Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales.
The son of another Thomas Powell, who was also a Boilermaker (Born 1831 in Neath, Glamorganshire), and Catherine, (Born 1834, Ebbw Vale, Monmoutshire).
He was a Boilermaker in civilian life before joining the Royal Navy on 9th June 1896 as Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class.
During the Period of the Boer War, Thomas served as an Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class onboard HMS Redbreasts between 4th April 1900 to 12th December 1901.
The Redbreast was a little Gunboat part of the “Redbreast Class”, during this period she was under the command of Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) Marcus Rowland Hill, as it was a small gunboat, only 83 medals would be issued named to this ship.
This unusual gunboat spent most of it’s time in the Gulf and Indian Ocean and as it was relatively close by, was brought in to assist during the Boer War, before returning to the region in 1901.
Due to their employment in the region they employed an interesting mixed crew including local “African” crew with the ranks of “Tindal” and “Seedie”, sometimes referred to as Kroomen.
Notably after the Boer War in 1901 they returned to the Indian Ocean and served around Zanzibar, as well as in Kismayo (Kismayu, Somalia).
The Commanding Officer was also commended during October 1900, by the German Emperor for his “sympathy shown following a boiler explosion on a German Man of War”, which the Redbreast seems to have been involved in providing assistance. (The German Navy were always active in this region due to their Colonial interests in “German South West Africa.”)
In August 1901 the Commanding Officer would also gain a commendation for “Thanked by the Royal Navy for valuable services at Kismayu and Elsewhere”.
He would go on to serve a long career lasting uninterrupted for 23 years until 1919 after the end of the Great War, as such he was awarded the coveted Long Service and Good Conduct Medal as CERA of HMS Tamar during 1918.
Throughout the war he held the rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class.
During his career he married Blanche who was his same age, who came from Frome, Somerset.
As he retired after the war in 1921 he settled in Mount Pleasant Coppards Hill, in Burwash Sussex.
Noted as a “Chief Engine Room Artificer RN (Retired)”.
