Egypt and Sudan Medal 1882-1889. Undated reverse. No clasp (A. E. Larcombe, Ord. H.M.S. Iris.)
Medal verification: Entitlement to the medal with no clasp is confirmed per the respective campaign medal roll of H.M.S. Iris, reference ADM 171/43. The medal roll is annotated with remark 'Sent to father, Thos Larcombe' on date, 20 October 1886
Drowned: The extant 'Service Sheet' (held & accessible at The National Archives) Ordinary Seaman Arthur Edwin Larcombe is shown as having 'Drowned' on, 21 August 1885
The Southern Times and Dorset County Herald issue of 28 August 1885, contained the below artcile pertainign to the death of Arthur Larcombe;
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CHARMOUTH
FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT: On Friday afternoon a fatal boating accident occurred here. About half-past three Messers. Francis F. Board, Ernest Gollop and a young man named Arthur Edwin Larcombe. of Her Majesty's Navy (belonging to H.M.S. Iris, and who is home from Egypt for the benefit of his health), took a boat from the beach, and started for a sail to Bridport Harbour. Owing to the light wind at the time they put no ballast in the boat, which is considered to be a very safe craft, having sailed in the 15-foot race at the regatta the day before. All seems to have gone well until the boat was off the Golden Cap Hill, when the jib was broken in trying to haul up the jibs a little tighter. It being a white calm just at the time, the young sailor climbed up the mast to put matters right. Before he had reached the top his weight carried the boat over, precipitating its occupants into the sea. All three clung to the boat, which lay on its side for a short time. Board then asked the others which of them could swim. Gollop said he could not, but Larcombe said he could. Board said "I'll make for the shore, or we shall all be drowned." It seems shortly after he had started Larcombe followed him. When he was about half-way in, he looked and saw Larcombe following. He holloaed to him to keep his spirits up, when a heavy squall of wind and rain came off the land. The first swimmer battled through it until he landed on one of the rocks. Looking round, as the squall cleared, he found his comrade was out of sight. Board again plunged into the water and soon got on the rocks on the shore, and ran towards the Chideock coastguard station, about one mile off. When half-way up he met a coastguard, who enquired what had happened. They at once launched a boat and rescued Mr. Gollop, but were unable to find Larcombe. The survivors received every kindness from the chief officer of coastguards at Chideock. On Saturday morning, at daybreak, P.C. Rackham organised a search party of five boats' crews to endeavour to recover the body, but nothing could be seen of it. On Sunday a further search was made, but nothing could be done with grapnels, as the coast is so rocky. Much sympathy is expressed for the friends of the deceased.
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Albert's body was subsequently recovered, and The Bridport News issue of 11 September 1885, contained an article pertaining to Arthur Larcombe's 'Naval' funeral:
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CHARMOUTH
THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT: After the inquest on Albert Edwin Larcombe at Eype on Monday, as reported on our fourth page, the body was removed to Charmouth. The funeral took place at the parish church on Tuesday. The deceased was carried to his grave by men from the Charmouth and Lyme Coastguard Stations. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and on it was placed wreaths and crosses which were sent by friends of the deceased. The funeral service was read by the Rev. W. W. Nicholls, rector of the parish. As a mark of respect all the blinds along the street were drawn, and tradesmen put up shutters. Francis F. Board was present at the funeral, but Gollop was unable to attend through illness. The deceased was 20 years of age. We should state that at the inquest Mr. W. L. Matthews of Bridport, gave his fee of 5s for finding the body, to the father of deceased.
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Arthur Edwwin Larcombe, son of Thomas Larcombe, was a native of, Charmouth, Dorset, England, where he was born on, 6 September 1865. Arthur had served with the Royal Navy since, 31 January 1882, and had served in order with the following stations / ships; Impregnable; Bosaowen; Monarch & Iris (this latter between, 28 February 1884 to 11 August 1885. The last ship he mustered aboard was H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, on which he served, 12 August to 21 August 1885
The medal roll is annotated with remark 'Sent to father Thos Larcombe' with date, 20 October 1886 - which indicates that the recipient Arthur Edwar Larcombe had died while on active service
The medal in uncommonly good condition, for an Egypt Medal
Condition: About EF
Code: 22235