1915 Trio with Mercantile Marine grouping. Royal Marine Light Infantry. Wells. Bloomsbury.

15 Trio correctly named CH13808 Pte C Wells RMLI
Mercantile Marine Medal correctly named Charles Wells

Born in Bloomsbury, London in 1885, Charles enlisted underage into the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1902.

He served on a number of ships and notably HMS Juno when on Friday 7 May 1915, Juno was returning to Queenstown, Ireland. At this point, she was considered very vulnerable to U-boats, being capable of only a sustained cruising speed of 16 knots. Having received warning of submarine activity in the area, the cruiser took evasive action and eventually returned to port. The RMS Lusitania was sunk by a U-boat later that day. Juno broke orders to go to the rescue but turned around before she left harbour.

He married Daisy Carver in 1917.

In 1919, he was in service with the Royal Fleet Reserve as a marine.

In 1921, he is seen to be living with Daisy at 20 Market Street, Bloomsbury and occupation noted as a painters labourer.

Records show him to receive the ribbon for the Mercantile Marine Medal in January 1922.

In 1939, now a prison officer, we find him residing at 5 Offord Road, Islington.

Included with the lot is a brass identity tag.

All medals have original silk ribbons.

A nice unusual lot worthy of further research.