Scarce WW1 SWB to a Royal Naval Division Engineer / Royal Engineers, Sapper Alfred Farrell

A SWB officially impressed 419306 awarded to Sapper Alfred Farrell of the Royal Naval Division Engineers (RND (E)) and later the Royal Engineers. An unmarked silver circlet inscribed 'For King And Empire Services Rendered' bearing crowned 'GRI' Imperial Cypher to voided centre. In very good condition, silver dark toned, original C clasp and pin. Circa 32mm in diameter. Supplied with supporting research.

Alfred enlisted 6th December 1915 as 5584 Sapper Royal Naval Division Engineers. His 'naval records' confirm he served with them until 31st January 1917 when he was transferred to the Army as a Royal Engineer sapper no 207947. He was also entitled to a BWM and VM and these were named to his service in the Army rather than the Royal Navy.

Alfred Farrell was born on the 22nd August 1896 in Benfield, Shoreham, Sussex and was just over 19 years of age when he enlisted in 1915. His trade prior to enlistment is noted as Carpenter & Joiner. He did serve overseas and was wounded and honorably discharged on the 6th July 1918 on account of his wounds, aged 21, presumably as a result of his Army service.

One of the unsung ancillary battalions of the Royal Naval Division was the Deal Battalion, also termed the Royal Marine Divisional Engineers. These men served with the RND at Gallipoli before being transported to France in 1916 where they supported the RND on the Somme and in particular at the battle of the Ancre, the final battle of that campaign. The Deal battalion was then broken up and re-designated as - 247th Field Company Royal Engineers (63rd Royal Naval Division), 248th Field Company Royal Engineers (63rd Royal Naval Division) and the 249th Field Company Royal Engineers (63rd Royal Naval Division). They continued to support the RND in the major engagements of 1917 (3rd Ypres) as well as 1918 (the 100 day offensive). There is a complexity of naming styles - 'Deal Division', 'Royal Marine Divisional Engineers', 'RND Engineers' etc. and the fact that they joined the navy but ended categorised as army makes for an interesting research project.

Members of the RND Divisional Engineers had the Deal Prefix 1/S to 1500/S and 5001/S to 5895/S.

G114

Code: 62759