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Lot Essay
Ex N.I. Brooks Collection.
Private Harry Old was born at Landport, Portsmouth in August 1880 and entered the Royal Marines as a Private at Deal in January 1899. Following a brief stint of service in the Orlando, he transferred to the Ship's Company of the Goliath in September 1900 and went on to serve off China during the Boxer Rebellion. Old commenced a series of Royal Yacht appointments in March 1904, when he joined the Osborne, and in May 1908 he transferred to the Alexandra, this latter posting witnessing the award of his L.S. and G.C. Medal in April 1914.
With the onset of hostilities a few months later, he removed to the Cruiser Kent and in her quickly witnessed action off the Falkland Islands in December 1914, when engaged against the Nurnberg. In a 'Duel to the Death', which resulted in the Kent being hit no less than 38 times, she managed to punish her adversary far more severely and ultimately finished her off. And again, in March 1915, off the island of Juan Fernandez, the Kent fought another spectacular duel, on this occasion against the Dresden, an action that ended in the latter blowing-up. For a full and vivid account of the Kent's activities in the first months of the War, see Keble Chatterton's Gallant Gentlemen (pp. 85-127).
Old finally left the Kent in early 1917 and finished the War in the Drillship President. Returning to the Royal Yacht Service with an appointment back aboard the Alexandra in March 1919, he remained in her service until May 1922, the month in which he received his R.V.M. in respect of services during the visit of King George V to Brussels and the War Cemeteries. Latterly a member of the Royal Marine Police, he died in March 1963.
Private Harry Old was born at Landport, Portsmouth in August 1880 and entered the Royal Marines as a Private at Deal in January 1899. Following a brief stint of service in the Orlando, he transferred to the Ship's Company of the Goliath in September 1900 and went on to serve off China during the Boxer Rebellion. Old commenced a series of Royal Yacht appointments in March 1904, when he joined the Osborne, and in May 1908 he transferred to the Alexandra, this latter posting witnessing the award of his L.S. and G.C. Medal in April 1914.
With the onset of hostilities a few months later, he removed to the Cruiser Kent and in her quickly witnessed action off the Falkland Islands in December 1914, when engaged against the Nurnberg. In a 'Duel to the Death', which resulted in the Kent being hit no less than 38 times, she managed to punish her adversary far more severely and ultimately finished her off. And again, in March 1915, off the island of Juan Fernandez, the Kent fought another spectacular duel, on this occasion against the Dresden, an action that ended in the latter blowing-up. For a full and vivid account of the Kent's activities in the first months of the War, see Keble Chatterton's Gallant Gentlemen (pp. 85-127).
Old finally left the Kent in early 1917 and finished the War in the Drillship President. Returning to the Royal Yacht Service with an appointment back aboard the Alexandra in March 1919, he remained in her service until May 1922, the month in which he received his R.V.M. in respect of services during the visit of King George V to Brussels and the War Cemeteries. Latterly a member of the Royal Marine Police, he died in March 1963.