Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (R. T. Pickett. 2nd S.B.S., H.M.S. St. George.) light contact marks, very fine £200-£240

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2007.

Richard Thomas Pickett was born in Forest Hill, Kent, 27 November 1870. A Confectioner’s Assistant by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Marines in February 1889. From 1892 he was employed as a Sick Berth Attendant, firstly at Haslar Hospital, then on board ship. Ranked as a 2nd Sick Berth Steward from November 1894 when on the Alacrity, he served as such on the St. George, January-March 1897, during which time he qualified for the East and West Africa Medal with clasp for Benin 1897.

Pickett was promoted to Sick Berth Steward whilst on the Royal Oak, in June 1899. He was discharged ashore on a pension in February 1911. Recalled for war service, he served throughout the Great War as a Sick Berth Steward at Chatham Hospital. He was demobilised from the Royal Navy in July 1919, and from the R.F.R., as a Sick Berth Petty Officer, in May 1921. Additionally entitled to the British War Medal 1914-20 and Naval L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R.