Description
Queen’s South Africa, bar Cape Colony, Able Seaman William Henry Foot, HMS Doris, Royal Navy, who served with the Naval Brigade in the Boer War.
Officially impressed: “W. H. Foot. A.B. H.M.S. Doris.”
Confirmed on the medal roll, this medal being sent to him on 7th December 1901.
Service Number 189128
Contact marks and pitting, lived until his 90s so probably wore it during his life.
William Henry Foot was born on 11th October 1880 in the Parish of St Nicholas, Village of Shaldon, Devon by the seaside.
However for some reason he was actually a little older, being born during 1877 and baptised at Shaldon on 2nd December 1877.
Initially working in “Gardening” the 15 year old signed up at HMS Impregnable for the Royal Navy on 2nd June 1896 as Boy 2nd Class.
After his training on HMS Lion from 6th June 1896 to 12th October 1897, he had been promoted to Boy 1st Class on 18th Feb 1897.
After a short time at Vivid I, from October to November 1897, he initially joined HMS Doris as Boy 1st Class on 18th November 1897.
He became of age during his time on board, becoming an Ordinary Seaman on 11th October 1898, followed by Able Seaman on 23rd September 1900.
However following his service in the Boer War with the Naval Brigade he left the ship on 31st May 1901, and was shortly after invalided out of the service on 9th August 1901, after a short time back at Vivid I.
After leaving the Navy he returned to Devon, settling in Starcross, West Dawlish right by the River Exe, marrying Annie Foot and hard various children, he worked on a local farm for a J. Anning.
He was still alive in 1939, living in Westwood, Dawlish Warren.
He lived a long life, dying in Newton Abbot, Devon, during 1969, being about 91 years old.
