25 June 2008: London. Dix, Noonan & Webb. Lot No: 209: Africa General Service 1902-56, 3 clasps, Somaliland 1902-04, Somaliland 1908-10, Somaliland 1920 (J. D. Fernandes, Dom. 3 Cl., H.M.S. Fox) unique three-clasp medal to the Royal Navy.
Nearly extremely fine. Estimate: £600-800. Joaquin Domingo Fernandes was born in Goa, India on 1 July 1884. He is described on his service paper as a Man of Colour. A Servant by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Domestic on 7 November 1903. He served on the Fox, November 1903-November 1905, during which time he gained his first Somaliland clasp. As Domestic 2nd Class and then as Officers Steward he then served on the Hyacinth, May 1907-April 1911, during which time he gained his second clasp. He was appointed Officers Steward 1st Class when on the Swiftsure in September 1913, on which he served until February 1915. Further wartime service aboard the ships Euryalus and Juno followed. Postwar he served aboard the Odin, September 1919 - September 1920, during which time he gained his third Somaliland clasp. Sold with copied service paper and extract from published roll in which he is listed as the only recipient of three clasps to the Africa General Service Medal to the Royal Navy. For a photograph and link to the auction see http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/
