New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (E. Mawbey, Sh. Corpl. H.M.S. Curacoa.) officially impressed naming but in a later style, edge bruise, otherwise very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of New Zealand War Medals.

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Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW February 1997.

Medal issued on 14 June 1904. 187 medals were issued to H.M.S. Curacoa, including only one with reverse dated 1863-1866, 3 with reverses undated, and the balance with reverses dated 1863-64. Edward Mawbey's medal is therefore one of only 3 known with an undated reverse to H.M.S. Curacoa.

Edward Mawbey was born at Rugby, Warwickshire, on 27 January 1832, enlisted in the Royal Marines circa 1859, and served as a Private aboard H.M.S. Hero, 1860-62. He then decided to be a rating in the Royal Navy, joining H.M.S. Curacoa as an Ordinary Seaman on 27 March 1863. He was gaoled in Sydney for three weeks ending 8 December 1865, and was advanced immediately on return to Ship's Corporal 2nd Class, rising to 1st Class in May 1866. He was discharged to shore, never having been a C.S. man, on 20 February 1867.