East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, 1891-2, Benin River 1894 (W. Blythe, Pte., H.M.S. Thrush) very fine and a unique clasp combination £350-400

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection 1997.

This combination of clasps is unique to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

William Blythe was born in the village of All Saints, Northampton, on 22 August 1867, and was in the shoe trade prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines on 22 December 1885. On completion of Recruit Training he joined the Chatham Division on 14 October 1886 and embarked in his first ship H.M.S. Pembroke on 1 October 1887. He returned to the Chatham Division on 1 October 1888, and next joined Wye on 20 November 1888, serving in this ship until 26 August 1890 when he returned to the Chatham Division. He embarked in Katoomba on 24 March 1891 and Thrush on 25 August 1891, in which ship he earned the clasp ‘1891-2’. He was loaned to Penelope (1-29 March 1893), returned to Thrush (March-30 September 1893) before transfer to Philomel on 10 October 1894. Whilst in this ship he took part in the operations against Chief Nanna of Benin in 1894 and landed at Brohime during the attack and capture of the town, earning the clasp ‘Benin River 1894’. He transferred to Grafton on 1 December 1894 then returned to the Chatham Division on 20 January 1895. He embarked next aboard Charybdis on 14 January 1896 and served in this ship until discharged ashore on 24 December 1897, having completed a limited engagement of 12 years. He was not entitled to the L.S. & G.C. medal.