Description
South Africa Medal 1877-9, no bar, Henry Stokes, Ordinary Seaman, HMS Tamar, with copy service papers. Zulu War.
Officially engraved: “H. Stokes. Ord: H.M.S. Tamar”
Good preserved condition.
Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers, and Irish Prison Register.
Henry Stokes served throughout the South Africa Wars, including the Zulu War being on board HMS Tamar from 4th October 1876 until 30th April 1880.
Henry spent 2 months in Limerick Mall Gaol (Jail) during 1882, having got into a scuffle and ended up arrested for “Assaulting a Policeman” along with some other rowdy sailors.
During this time he was on the First Reserve Guard Ship HMS Valiant stationed in Southern Ireland.
According to local Irish prison records, on 21st July 1882, Mr Henry Stokes, alongside 7 other “Sailors” were sentenced to 2 months in Prison, with one likely ringleader Henry Gillespie, getting 6 months for “Assault on Police”, they were all sentenced by a J. Counham, and had to serve out their time in prison from July to September with Imprisonment and Hard Labour.
The brawl was recounted in the Dublin Daily Express, 22nd July 1882:
“EXTRAORDINARY AFFRAY BETWEEN POLICE AND ROYAL NAVY MEN. At the City of Limerick Petty Sessions today, an extraordinary case was heard before the Mayor (Mr. Jerome Counihan, J.P.), Major Evanson, R.M., Mr Stephen Hastings, and Mr. Felix McCurthy, R.M., in which Joseph Eastworthy (steward), James Bond, Henry Stokes, Albert East, George Coles, Henry Gillespie, William Pierce, and Thomas Boland, of Her Majesty’s Steam Tender “Imogene,” were charged with assaulting the police and engaging in riot and affray. The prisoners were undefended. Constable Tracy testified that last night, at about 10 o’clock, he received a letter from the officer commanding Her Majesty’s tender “Imogene,” stating that six of his crew were absent and requesting the constable, with some of his men, to search for the navy men. They were found drinking in a public house on Windmill Street. They approached Eastworthy, who appeared to be in a higher position than the others. Eastworthy was very insolent and set the police at defiance. They assaulted the police, beating and kicking them, resulting in a free man to man (Free-For-All), conflict ensued in which women from the district joined the sailors in fighting the Police. The prisoners did everything in their power to upset the police. The uniforms of two Police were destroyed. When putting the men into the lock-up at the barracks, Gillespie drew a bowie-knife and was going to use it when a Sub-Constable struck his arm and made the knife fall out of his hand. Sub-Constable Johnson provided corroborative testimony. The Prisoner Gillespie tore his tunic and destroyed his uniform cap. The Mayor stated that the court had thoroughly considered the case, and the majority of the magistrates had decided to send each of the defendants to jail for two months, except Gillespie, who was the most severe offender. Gillespie was sentenced to six months in jail for assaulting the police and fined 2 pounds 6 shillings and 6 pence for tearing the uniforms and 27 shilling 6 pence in compensation, In default of payment, to be imprisoned for 1 additional month, he would be imprisoned for an additional month. They hoped this would teach men in the same position of life to conduct themselves when they come into Limerick. The prisoners were then removed.”
Henry Stokes was born in Deal, Kent on 2nd September 1857.
Whilst still underage about 16 years old, he signed on with the Royal Navy on 1st March 1874 as Boy 2nd Class at HMS Duncan.
During the South African “Zulu” Wars period of 1877-9, he was serving first as Ordinary Seaman on HMS Tamar, between 4th October 1876 until 30th April 1880.
During the Zulu War, he was promoted to Able Seaman during July 1879.
His periods of “Very Good” and “Exemplary” service would take a short break whilst he was stationed in Southern Ireland and got into his pub brawl, which led to some further “Indifferent” and “Good” ratings of his conduct during this time, perhaps due to boredom.
His good conduct finally returned by 1886, and he returned to consitent “Very Good” ratings, including his rise to Leading Seaman on 1st July 1887 on board HMS Sultan.
On 1st October 1887 he reached Petty Officer 2nd lass on HMS Edinburgh.
Followed by on that same ship ship, Petty Officer 2nd Class on 22nd December 1889.
He finished off his service with 3 years on HMS Tourmaline between April 1893 to February 1896.
Before his discharge from HMS Pembroke I on 7th April 1896, when discharged as a Petty Officer 1st Class to shore pension, He was closing in on his 40th Birthday and had been in the Navy since 16, however looks like his little scuffle and period of poor conduct would cost him the Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, even though he had significantly improved and made a good rise to Petty Officer by the time of retirement.
