Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

Pair: Sergeant W. Stockwell, Royal Marines, later 1st Devon Militia, who was involve in the suppression of the Exeter Bread Riots of November 1867

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (4285 Sergt. Wm. Stockwell. 1st. Devon.) very fine (2) £260-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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William Stockwell attested for the Royal Marines for Unlimited Service at Plymouth on 15 August 1844, aged 20, receiving a bounty of three pounds seventeen shillings and sixpence. Posted to 39th Company, Royal Marines, he served afloat in a variety of ships of the line, and was advanced Sergeant in the 91st Company on 11 July 1852. Embarking in the Troop Transport Ship Imperador, 2nd Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry, on 10 August 1857, he landed on the Island of Honan, China, on 15 December 1857 for service during the Second Opium War. Embarking Honan Island the Royal Marine Brigade disembarked 2 miles below the French Folly on 28 December 1857 and entered Canton via the north-east gate to take part in the battle for Canton, 29- 31 December 1857. Returning home he was dischaged on 4 September 1865, after 21 years’ service.

Stockwell next joined and was appointed 4285 Sergeant on the Permanent Staff of the 1st Devon Militia, H.Q. Exeter, on 14 November 1865. In 1867 the country was widely affected by civil unrest due to the price of bread amongst other causes. This disturbance spread to the West Country and the Mayor of Exeter found it necessary to call for the assistance of the Permanent Staff of the 1st Devon Militia to suppress a bread riot in the city on 4 November 1867. The Permanent Staff of the 1st Devon Militia, including Stockwell, held Exe Bridge against more than 1,000 rioters to prevent them entering the City; after the Riot Act was read the Staff charged the mob with fixed swords and cleared the bridge on 5 November 1867. Many of the Sergeants and Drummers as well as the Sergeant Major and the Adjutant received contusions from stones and brickbats during this encounter with the rioters.

Following the suppression of the riots the Commanding Officer, 1st Devon Militia, received the official thanks from the Mayor of Exeter and the Secretary of State for War. He completed the period of his Engagement and was approved for a further term of five years on 13 November 1875 and a further five year term in November 1880. In the 1881 Census aged 56 he is recorded as residing in the Town Barracks, Howell Road, Exeter and was finally discharged and struck off the strength of the 4th Militia Battalion Devonshire Regiment on 17 November 1885. He died at St Neot, Near Liskeard, Cornwall on 5 November 1906, aged 83, with his death registered as William Horatio Nelson Stockwell, Naval Pensioner.

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