*WW1 Q SHIP BEGONIA* AFRICA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL SOMALILAND 1908-10 ROBERTS

Offered is an Africa General Service Medal for the Somaliland campaign to Stoker 1st Class Samuel Ernest Roberts, who went on to serve on the 'Q' ship Begonia during the Great War.

Africa General Service Medal (1902-56), 1 clasp SOMALILAND 1908 – 10, impressed named 310862 S.E. ROBERTS. STO. 1CL. H.M.S. PROSERPINE. Comes with copies of service records and medal rolls.

Leading Stocker Samuel Ernest Roberts (also known as Laurence Roberts) was born on 24/6/1887 (noted on his file amend the date of birth 29/7/1887) at Wincanton, Somerset. A bricklayer’s labourer by trade, he enlisted into the Royal Navy on 16/10/1906.

He served on a variety of H.M. ship and shore bases including the: Nelson, Essex, Proserpine (19/2/08 – 15/8/1911 being awarded the AGSM & clasp Somaliland 1908 – 10), Fisgard, Hermione.

WW1: King Alfred (1/8/14 – 15/10/14),  HMS Victory II (the administrative and accommodation depot for Stokers and ERA's, situated in HM Naval base Portsmouth before 1914 and after 1919 during the Great War situated at Crystal Palace London), Begonia (Q Ship, 1/10/15 – 10/4/16 the H.M.S. Colleen was the depot ship), Birmingham (21/2/17 – 27/5/17), Achilles (19/10/17 – 16/4/18) & Leviathan (19/8/18 – 27/2/19)

Post-war he continued to serve on the: Furious, Crescent, Lion, Malaya and finishing on the Dolphin 1/11/1928 discharging to pension.

He is also entitled to the 1914 – 15 Star, British War and Victory Medals 1914 – 18. As he had two stints in the cells (3 days and 14 days), he was not entitled to the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.