Description
Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, VR, James Matthew Briggs, Divisional Carpenter, Coast Guard. An unusual rating who worked on a number of interesting ships.
Officially impressed: “James M. Briggs Divl. Carpr H.M. Coastguard.”
Very unusual to find a HM Coastguard to a non Boatman rating.
He spent almost 4 years as a Shipwright and becoming a Carpenters Mate whilst on board HMS Devastation from 1874-1878, which was the ground breaking first ocean going Capital Ship which did not carry sails, and the first to have her entire main armament mounted on top of the hull rather than inside it.
Award announced in the Naval & Military Gazette 13th October 1880:
“The under mentioned men have been awarded the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct:-James M. Briggs, Divisional Carpenters.”
James Matthew Briggs, was born on 15th November 1848 in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
He first volunteered for the Royal Navy having been a Shipwright on 30th July 1870 for 10 years.
First served as a Shipwright on board HMS Lord Warden from 30th July 1870 until 31st December 1872.
HMS Revenge, 14th February 1874 – 5th Mar 1874
HMS Asia, 6th March 1874 – 28th April 1874
HMS Devastation, 29th April 1874 – 31st December 1877, during which time he was promoted to Carpenter’s Mate on 15th May 1876, showing exemplary character.
HMS Duke of Wellington, 1st Jan 1878 – 18th Jan 1878
HMS Vernon, 9th March 1879 – 20th August 1879
HMS Hector, 21st August 1879 – 22nd August 1879. Coast Guard
Appointed Divisional Carpenter to the Coast Guard on 23rd August 1879.
Served during this time at Rye Harbour as Divisional Carpenter from 23rd August 1879 – 22nd April 1886.
Awarded his LSGC following 10 years good service in late August 1880.
HMS Northampton on 23rd April 1886. Still at Rye Harbour.
HMS Invincible from 23rd November 1886 – 11th August 1890, when discharged to his shore pension after 20 years..
Becoming a Naval Pensioner who settled with his wife Ellen Briggs (born 1849) in Eastbourne, Sussex, shown living there on the 1901,1911 & 1921 Census at 42 Royal Parade in Eastbourne.
He died there on 16th January 1929 aged about 81.
