Medal, Greenwich Royal Hospital School Old Boys Association

Awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Harry Simpson RN. Obverse: Coat of arms of Greenwich Hospital, with the shield in coloured enamels. On ribbon below: 'ROYAL HOSPITAL GREENWICH'. Legend: 'G.R.H.S.O.B.A. OTIA TUTA'. On riband: 'ROYAL GREENWICH HOSPITAL' Reverse: 'PRESENTED TO MR H. SIMPSON VICE PRESIDENT PORTSMOUTH BRANCH 1929-33 AS A TOKEN OF ESTEEM'. Fitted with ring, in box numbered ZBA8029 with MED1585.

Telegraphist Lieutenant-Commander Harry Simpson (1877-1951) was born in Southsea, Portsmouth. He entered the Royal Navy as a boy 2nd class on the 8 June 1892. He served as a signalman in HMS 'Katoomba' stationed in Australian waters from 10 May 1894 to 20 April 1897. In HMS 'St George' and HMS 'Ophir', Simpson participated in the Imperial tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York during 1901 - he was now a Yeoman of Signals. In HMS 'Russell' 1903-4, he served in the Mediterranean fleet and continued there in HMS 'Queen' and HMS 'Suffolk' until 1906. In 1907, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer telegraphist. and on 5 May 1910 to Warrant Telegraphist. He spent most of World War I in HMS 'Iron Duke' - the flagship of Jellicoe during the battle of Jutland in 1916. Simpson had been promoted to Lieutenant on 29 February earlier that year. He was further promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 29 February 1924 and received the MBE on 3 June 1931. He retired on 18 January 1932. He had married Celia Jane Rayner in Portsmouth in 1901 and the couple had two sons.

Object Details

ID: MED1584
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: George Kenning & Son Ltd
People: Royal Hospital School Greenwich; Simpson, Harry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 25 mm
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