The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, Chapel Stall Plate, ‘Robert Bloye Esquire, Post Captain in the Royal Navy, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815’, 192x 114mm., brass, good very fine £350-400

Robert Bloye entered the Royal Navy on 5 August 1793, as an Able Seaman aboard the Marlborough 74. On the same ship as Midshipman he was present at Lord Howe’s action on 1 June 1794. In October 1800 he was commissioned Lieutenant on the sloop Spitfire. Promoted Commander in August 1806, he took command of the Lyra 10 in December 1809 and remained with that ship for four years, being actively employed along the Spanish coast. He commanded a party at the destruction on 24 June 1812 of the castle of Galea and several batteries. On 10 July 1812 he landed with a party of marines at Puerta Galletta and again destroyed several batteries. Early in May 1813, he assisted as Senior Naval Officer, with the brigs Royalist and Sparrow at the defence and evacuation of Castro. On 31 August 1813, during the siege of St. Sebastian, he was conspicuous in commanding one of two divisions of boats sent as a diversion whilst an attack was made on the town. In this he was successful and the walls were breached and the town taken. For his services he was advanced to Post-rank in December 1813. He was then placed in command of the Eurotas 38 in June 1814 and then the Tay 24 in April 1815. Nominated for the C.B. in June 1815, he was placed on Half-Pay in February 1816. He attained the rank of Rear-Admiral in October 1846.