Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., bronze, unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (208082. H.G.B. MILLS, P.O., R.N.); British War Medal (208082 H.G.B. MILLS. P.O. R.N.); Victory Medal (208082 H.G.B. Mills. P.O. R.N.); Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal G.V.R. (208082 H.G.B. MILLS. P.O. H.M.S. SUFFOLK.); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal, successful (HARRY G. MILLS A.B. JULY 12. 1906.), lacking integral top riband buckle, traces of silvering to last, pitting from Star.
R.V.M. awarded 6.6.1910 Mills, H.G.B., Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Excellent - 'Gun Carriage Party, H.M. Funeral'.
Mills was awarded the Royal Humane Society case no. 34,747: 'At 10:45pm on the 12th July, 1906, a private of the Royal Marine Light Infantry threw himself overboard from H.M.S. King Edward VII in Portsmouth Harbour, the night being dark, with a strong flood tide. At great risk, H.G. Mills, Able Seaman, jumped in and supported him until they were picked up by a boat.'
208082 Chief Petty Officer Harry George Budden Mills, R.V.M. was born in Poole, Dorset in June 1884. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy Second Class in January 1900 and was advanced Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Gladiator in June 1902. Promoted Able Seaman in April 1903 he was transferred to H.M.S. King Edward VII in February 1905. Promotion to Leading Seaman followed in July 1906. He was transferred to H.M.S. Excellent in May 1910 and took part as one of the Naval Ratings from H.M.S. Excellent at the State Funeral of H.M. King Edward VII on 20.5.1910 - this earned him the award of the Royal Victorian Medal.
He was promoted Petty Officer, H.M.S. Dreadnought in July 1912 and was aboard H.M.S. Vindictive in the Atlantic with the 9th Cruiser Squadron when WWI broke out. He was present when she captured the German Merchantman Schlesien and Slawentzitz on 7 August and 8 September respectively. Aboard the armed merchant cruiser Celtic from August 1915, he then joined the cruise Suffolk from May 1917 when she became flagship of the China Station. Mills was aboard her when he was awarded the Naval L.S. & G.C. on 8.8.1917;and promoted Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. Dido in February 1920, being Shore Pensioned later that year in September 1920. He was seconded to the New Zealand Navy in October 1920 for four years. He was eventually pensioned from service on 4 March 1924.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with copied research.
