QSA MEDAL GROUP ORD JOHN DEAN HMS TERRIBLE

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A rare and highly collectable Queens South Africa Medal with “Natal” bar to 190199 Ord. J. Dean, HMS Terrible, also 1914-18 British War Medal and 1914-1919 Victory Medal to 190199 J. Dean P.O. RN and a Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George V Admirals Bust issue to 190199 John Dean, LDG Sea HMS Europa. Also a copy of John Dean’s Service certificate. The medal ribbons are all original although the LSGM ribbon is rotten and will need replacing. The medals themselves are in excellent condition apart from the Victory Medal which has surface corrosion (as is common with this medal) due to being kept in a damp place. On February 12th 1900, Lieutenant Dooner, Midshipman Kirby, Petty Officers Neil, Sparks, Bicker and 50 seamen and stokers, left HMS Terrible with two 12 pounder field guns, and proceeded to Zululand. They travelled by the coast railway to the terminus, then crossed the mouth of the Tugela River near by, and marched to Eshowe, 28 miles distant, there joining the composite force protecting the province from Boer incursions. Ordinary Seaman John Dean was part of this detachment and would probably have been the Bugler calling the crews to action as his service docs show his sub rating as a Bugler at this time? Early on the 12th March 1900 the Zululand contingent returned to Terrible from their bloodless but adventurous mission to carry on their commission to the China Station and to the Boxer Rebellion sailing from Durban at noon on 27th March 1900. (The Commission of HMS Terrible 1899 - 1902 George Crowe M.A.A.) The Naval Brigades of HMS Terrible & HMS Powerful played prominent roles from October 1899 to March 1900 supporting the Army with their 6”, 4.7” and 12 pounder field guns. Without these guns the British Army were at the mercy of the much superior Boer Crusoet and Krupps guns. The town of Ladysmith was besieged by the Boers from the 2nd November 1899 when the guns of HMS Powerful just made it with only hours to spare before the town was completely surrounded and invested for 117 days, during this time the sailors and their guns managed to outgun the Boers (with their extremely accurate shooting) who were entrenched in the surrounding hills, thus contributing significantly to saving the town. Although the Naval presence, in comparison to the Army was small in South Africa, the Naval Brigades exploits captured the Nations admiration by their skill and bravery in neutralising the enemies big guns and thereby saving many British lives. Queen Victoria ordered the Naval Brigade of HMS Powerful to parade for her inspection at Windsor Castle on their return from South Africa in April 1900 and later they marched through the City of London to the great delight and applause from tens of thousands of people. . The sailors of the Naval Brigade were treated as returning hero’s by the people of Britain and particularly Portsmouth, their home port, where they were treated to a lavish civic reception at the Portsmouth Town Hall and given expensive gifts. The Royal Navy’s Field Gun competition which was played out each year at the Royal Tournament (which was axed in 1999 by the Labour Government, another short sighted blunder) has it’s origins from this part of Naval History. Every year the Portsmouth Crew would return from Earls Court and be treated to a Civic reception by the Mayor and people of Portsmouth although not as lavish as that of the Powerful. read more

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