Hammer

£3,800

Royal Navy Japan Yokohama 1923 Earthquake Meritorious Service Medal Group of Four. A rare group awarded to Sick Berth Attendant William Bilton RN who was awarded an immediate Meritorious Service Medal for his work during the Yokohama earthquake disaster of 1923.
Comprising: British War Medal, Victory Medal, M. 18103 W BILTON S.B.A. RN, Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (GVR) S.B.P.O. HMS EGMONT, Meritorious Service Medal (GVR) M.18103 W. BILTON S.B.A. YOKOHAMA SEPTEMBER 1923. The group remains mounted as originally worn. The announcement of the MSM appeared in the London Gazette on the 15th January 1924.
Warrant Wardmaster William Bilton enlisted into the Royal Navy in 1915 and was appointed a Sick Berth Attendant, he saw service at Haslar Hospital and sea service onboard HMS Europa and HMS HMS Caesar. Remaining with the RN after the end of the war he served at Dublin in March 1920. On the 7th December he was posted to Yokohama Hospital as part of the China Fleet. On the 1st September 1923 Tokyo and the City of Yokohama were struck by 7.9 earthquake. Bilton’s medical effects in the relief war would earn him along with two other men the award of the MSM recommended by the C-in-C China. In 1931 with the rank of S.B.A. Petty Officer he was awarded the LS&GC Medal. Still serving in WW2 he was commissioned Warrant Wardmaster in 1941 and in 1942 is noted as serving at the Naval Hospital Minterne Magna.