Four: Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. Whitehead, A.B. H.M.S. Dee) later impressed naming; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (W. Whitehead, A.B. H.M.S. Boadicea); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (W. Whitehead, P.O. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Theseus); Khedive’s Star 1882, contact marks and pitting, otherwise nearly very fine and a scarce double issue (4)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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William Whitehead was born in Wigan, Lancashire, on 14 November 1859, and joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. ACHILLES on 7 February 1876. He subsequently served aboard GRIFFON (1877-78) where he was rated an Ord on 1 January 1878, AVON (1878-82) receiving advancement to Able Seaman on 1 January 1880, and DRAGON (1882-86). He earned the East & West Africa medal with clasp ‘Witu 1890 aboard BOADICEA (April 1888 to August 1891) and then served in MALABAR (1893-95). Whilst serving aboard THESEUS (January 1896 to April 1897) he took part in the operations against Chief Overami of Benin in February 1897. The authorities were obviously not aware that he was already in possession of a medals for Witu and, instead of issuing him with the clasp ‘Benin 1897’, sent him a new medal and clasp. Whilst aboard THESEUS he received advancement to Leading Seaman in April 1896, to Petty Officer 2nd Class in July 1896 and to Petty Officer 1st Class during April 1897. He was pensioned to shore on 4 February 1898 but having been deprived of a Good Conduct Badge on four occasions during his career he was never awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal.