A FINE AND RARE ROYAL NAVY ‘AFRICA’ SERVICE GROUP TO AN OFFICER WHO WAS MID FOR HIS SERVICES IN THE WITU OPERATIONS OF 1890 AND AFTER TAKING PART IN THE DONGLA CAMPAIGN OF 1896, WAS TWICE MID FOR HIS SERVICES WITH THE NAVAL BRIGADE DURING THE BOER WAR, BEHAVING WITH GREAT GALLANTRY AT THE BATTLE OF GRASPAN, WHERE HE WAS IN COMMAND OF THE NAVAL GUNS, HE WAS SPECIAL PROMOTED TO COMMANDER FOR THESE SERVICES

EAST AND WEST AFRICA 1887-1900, CLASP, WITU 1890 ‘SUB. LIEUT. F. W. DEAN. R.N. H.M.S. REDBREAST.’; QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 5 CLASPS, BELMONT, MODDER RIVER, PAARDEBERG, DRIEFONTEIN, RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY, CLASPS MOUNTED IN THIS ORDER ‘LIEUT: F. W. DEAN, R.N. H.M.S. MONARCH’; KHEDIVE’S SUDAN 1896-1908, NO CLASP, UNNAMED AS ISSUED; ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY, SMALL BRONZE MEDAL (SUCCESSFUL), ‘LIEUT. F. W. DEAN, R.N., 18TH DECEMBER 1893.’ COMPLETE WITH INTEGRAL BROOCH BUCKLE, PIN REMOVED.

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 January 1891- For service during the Witu expedition.

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 March 1900 – ‘behaving with great gallantry at Graspan, where he was in command of four naval guns in a very exposed position.’

M.I.D - ‘specially promoted to Commander for services with Naval Brigade in South Africa, Admiralty, 2 May 1900.’

1916 Navy List entry:

“DEAN, F. W., Sub-Lieutenant of "Redbreast"; as orderly officer to Flag-Captain Hon. A. G. Curzon-Howe, served in the Naval Brigade landed under the command of Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir E. R. Fremantle, K.C.в. C.M. G., Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies station, for the punitive expedition against the Sultan of Witu, in East Africa, October, 1890; mentioned in despatches (General Africa Medal, Witu, 1890, Clasp). Lieutenant, H.M.S. "Gleaner," 18th December 1893 (Bronze Medal of Royal Humane Society), for saving W. Ringland, ordinary seaman, of the "Resolution."-Ringland fell overboard from the "Resolution," in Cawsand Bay, on December 18th, 1893, when the latter vessel was about a quarter of a mile ahead of the "Gleaner," and steaming six knots. There was a strong breeze and a heavy cross sea running at the time. The "Gleaner" attempted to get her lifeboat into the sea, but considerable delay occurred. Lieutenant Dean jumped overboard, and held the drowning man up fully ten minutes until assistance arrived. Lieutenant of "Scout" during Dongola Expedition, 1896 (Khedive's Medal); Lieut. of "Monarch," and specially promoted to the rank of Commander for services in South Africa, 2nd May, 1900. Landed first for the defence of Stormberg, and afterwards served in the reinforced brigade attached to General Lord Methuen's Division (South Africa Medal); mentioned in despatches as behaving with great gallantry at Graspan, where he was in command of four naval guns in a very exposed position; mentioned in Lord Roberts' despatch of 31st March, 1900; appointed in command of Devonport Gunnery School, with acting rank of Captain, June, 1915.”

Frederick William Dean was born in Newburn, near Swindon on 20 July 1868, and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in the training ship Britannia in January 1882. Appointed a Midshipman in October 1884, he was advanced to Sub Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Calypso in October 1888. Having then obtained a 1st Class Certificate in Seamanship, he was appointed for navigational duties in the Redbreast on the East Indies station in February 1890. And in October of the same year he was landed for service with the Naval Brigade sent to punish the Sultan of Witu for the massacre of a party of Europeans………….

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Condition NEF, mounted court-style for display. Sold with copy research including service papers etc. Ex Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.