A Great War and Interwar 'China River Gunboat' Yangtze service medal group of 3: Stoker John Wilson Russell, Royal Navy late H.M.S. 'Peterel'

- British War Medal. Silver issue (J.61615 J. W. Russell. Boy 1. R.N.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (J.61615 J. W. Russell. Boy 1. R.N.)
- Naval Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. GV 'coinage head' issue (K.61438 J. W. Russell. Sto. H.M.S. Peterel.)

Medals verification: All medals verified as entitled per the respective Royal Navy medal rolls cited below:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: Ref ADM 171/144 (medal sent to recipient aboard H.M.S. Curacoa)
- Interallied Victory Medal: Ref ADM 171/144 (medal sent to recipient aboard H.M.S. Curacoa)
- Naval LS&GC Medal: Ref ADM 171/150, sent to China Station where recipient had been serving with River Gunboat H.M.S. Peterel

John Wilson Russell was born in Speymouth, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland , on, 24 April 1901, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in November 1916 with official number J61615. The following year he was rated Boy 1st Class and served aboard the Battle-Cruiser HMS Princess Royal(1917-18) and the Battleship HMS Emperor of India (1918-19). In April 1919 he came of age, was rated Ordinary Seaman and signed for twelve years’ service. In June 1919 Russell changed to a Short Service engagement as a Stoker. His number changed to SS.122234 and he engaged for five years’ service, to be followed by seven years in the Royal Fleet Reserve. He was drafted to the ‘C’ class Light Cruiser HMS Caledon,which deployed with the Atlantic Fleet (1919 – 1921) and served aboard HMSCuraçoa in the Mediterranean (1921 – 1923).

In February 1933, John embarked aboard the Curacoa for passage to China where, on 12 May, he joined the River Gunboat HMS Peterel,deployed on the Yangtse River. Advanced to Leading Stoker 18th May 1933 and on 17th June 1934 was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The Gunboat 'Peterel' and her sister ship 'Gannet' had been built in the UK in 1927, and shipped to the Far East in pieces for re-assembly at the Naval Dockyards in Hong Kong Colony

During the Second World War, John Russell served in the Royal Navy throughout the period of hostilities. for which he was entitled to the Defence & War Medals

The medals mounted in the swing style and as-worn by the recipient. The silk ribands suspended from a white metal mounting bar, this latter retaining its long-hinged pin and clasp fittings

Condition: Silver medals toned GVF

Code: 23440