A fine Arctic exploration group of three awarded to Engine-Room Artificer Robert Joiner, Royal Navy, who took part in two sledging expeditions in support of the Northern Division in April and May 1876

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (R. Joiner, Lg. Stoker, H.M.S. Barracouta, 73-74); Arctic Medal 1875-76 (R. Joiner. Lg. Stoker. H.M.S. Alert); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Robt. Joiner. Eng. Room Artif. H.M.S. Alert) impressed naming, good very fine (3) £3500-4000

Robert Joiner was born at Fittleworth, Sussex, on 26 September 1840. He joined the Royal Navy on 21 October 1854, as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Victory. As a Leading Stoker he served aboard Barracouta during the Ashantee war of 1873-74, and aboard H.M.S. Alert in the Arctic Expedition of 1875-76. He was a member of the Alexandra sledge party under Engineer George White, R.N., which left Alert on 3 April 1876 for Cape Joseph Henry in support of the Northern Division and returned on 14 April. On 11 May he left with the Sultan ladder sledge, under Engineer James Wootton, R.N., with a depot of one week’s provisions for the Northern Party, returning to Alert on 20 May. Both sledges are noted as having performed other services. Advanced to Engine Room Artificer in August 1878 whilst serving in Alert, he received his L.S. & G.C. medal on 30 April 1879. Sold with copy service record.