About the product

RN LSGC VR Coast Guard

Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, VR, J.T. Pearl, Boatman, H.M. Coast Guard, later Commissioned Boatman, Chief Boatman and Station Officer on various Northern Ireland rescue teams.

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SKU: J6349 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct, VR, J.T. Pearl, Boatman, H.M. Coast Guard, made Leading Seaman only 2 years into his Navy service, promoted to Commissioned Boatman after 3 years in Coast Guard.

 

John Thomas Pearl was born on 18th October 1862, in Harwich Essex. He was the son of Joseph Pearl, known locally as “Captain Pearl”, a Naval Pensioner and most popular personage of Minehead Quay, who also followed his Navy service to be Chief Boatman of the Coast Guard. John and his 2 brothers similarly spent their careers out at sea like their father.

 

He was a seaman by trade when he enlisted with the Royal Navy on 5th January 1883, on HMS Adelaide. Later that month he was posted to HMS Alexandra as an Ordinary Seaman, which had just returned from the Bombardment of Alexandria in the Egypt War.
By 2nd September 1883 he was promoted to A.B., and similarly only 2 years later was promoted to Leading Seaman on 6th November 1885 with the Alexandra.
He later served on HMS Imperieuse from 1st March 1888, having been posted as well as promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class, 2 years later whilst onboard he was promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class on 18th December 1890.
Having finished his 10 year service engagement as Petty Officer 1st Class of HMS Imperieuse he joined the Coast Guard as a Boatman at the Kingstown station.
Awarded this medal on 23rd May 1893 as a Boatman.
He spent 7 years at the station being made Commissioned Boatman on 18th April 1896.
On 22nd March 1904 he was made Chief Boatman at Helen’s Bay station.
By 11th November 1910 he was Chief Officer of Ballygeary Station.

 

He continued his service through WW1, being Chief Officer at Sandbanks Station from 13th December 1911 until 30th September 1916, then President IV as additional Chief Officer for Sandbank Station from 1st October until 10th April 1919, when he was released to his shore pension, his total service amounting to 36 years at the age of 57.