East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895, Benin 1897 (D. Statt, Dom. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Widgeon) lightly polished, otherwise better than very fine and very rare £800-1000

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection 1997, where it is described as a unique combination of clasps to the Royal Navy or Royal Marines. However, it is believed that there were actually three recipients of this clasp combination.

Daniel Statt was born in Jersey, Channel Islands, on 5 October 1869, and was a servant before joining the Royal Navy. He entered the service as a Domestic 3rd Class aboard the Indus on 7 May 1888 when aged 19 years, and next joined Lion (August 1889) as a Domestic 2nd Class. He transferred to Shannon (April 1891) and was advanced to Domestic 2nd Class on 18 October 1891. In this rate he served aboard Sirius (April 1892) and Vivid I (June 1893), was paid off to shore in August 1893 ‘services no longer required’ but rejoined the same ship a month later. He then served aboard Widgeon (September 1893) and St George (December 1896).

Whilst serving in Widgeon he was landed for service on shore in various Naval Brigades. He took part in the Expedition up the Benin River in 1894 to punish the rebellious Chief Nanna, and served in the punitive expedition against King Koko on the Brass River in 1895. Whilst in St George he was advanced to Domestic 1st Class on 1 December 1896, and took part in the Benin Expedition of 1897 against the slave trading Chief Overiami, culminating in the capture and destruction of Benin City. His services in these actions were recognised by the award of the East & West Africa medal with three clasps.

He was put ashore at Simonstown, South Africa, at his own request, and after two years ashore he joined Philomel in December 1898, as a Domestic 2nd Class. He served in South African waters between October 1899 and March 1901 whilst aboard Philomel earning him the Queen’s South Africa medal without clasp. He was put ashore from this ship as ‘unsuitable’ on 30 June 1900 but re-entered the service aboard Britannia on 16 July 1901 in the rate of Domestic 1st Class. Transferred to Niobe in the same rate on 21 August 1901 and served until paid off ashore on 18 November 1902. After this date he appears not to have sought further employment in R.N. ships. Domestics at this time were not eligible for the L.S. & G.C. medal.