Four: Stoker John Burns, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (John Burns, Stoker, H.M.S. Vanguard 20 Yrs); Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed, the first with light contact marks, otherwise, extremely fine (4) £500-600

John Burns was born in Saltash, Cornwall, on 6 September 1835, and entered the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St George on 22 February 1851. He joined the Sans Pareil in June 1852 and served in her at Sebastopol, as a Boy 1st Class, and at Canton as an Ordinary Seaman. He was rated Stoker in October 1858 and discharged to Impregnable in February 1859, subsequently serving aboard H.M. Ships Exmouth, Wellington, London, Indus, Ocean, Audacious and, finally, Vanguard. He entered this last ship in July 1871 and was discharged from it on 10 September 1873, having been recommended for his ‘Pension, Medal & Gratuity.’ Sold with copy service papers.