Three: Captain G. J. Hirtzel, Royal Navy, who enjoyed a nearly 40 year career, during which he assisted at the capture of 29 slave dhows in the Persian Gulf

Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (Staff Comdr. G. J. Hirtzel, R.N. H.M.S. “Monarch”) suspension claw re-fixed; Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, generally nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2000 (when Egypt Medal offered as a single)

George John Hirtzel entered the Royal Navy in August 1854, becoming Navigating Sub-Lieutenant, October 1860; Navigating Lieutenant, July 1865; Staff Commander, February 1877; Staff Captain, November 1891. He served in Hannibal during the Crimean War and was present at the capture of Sebastopol, Kertch and Kinburn (Crimean and Turkish Medals, Sebastopol clasp); served in Nymphe during the Abyssinain War (Abyssinian Medal); also in Nymphe blockading Bahrein, and at the attack on Maherag Fort during an expedition up the Persian Gulf, 1869-70; whilst in Nymphe assisted at the capture of 29 slave dhows; Staff Commander of Monarch at the bombardment of Alexandria, 11th July, 1882, and during Egyptian War (Egyptian Medal, Alexandria clasp, Khedive’s Bronze Star). Captain Hirtzel was placed on the Retired List on 5 February 1892.

Note: Another Egypt Medal to this man is know to exist, in a group comprising Crimea, Abyssinia, Egypt and Sudan, Turkish Crimea, and Khedive’s Star; as there is no evidence that Hirtzel is entitled to the Baltic Medal it would appear that the Egypt and Sudan Medal in this group is most likely a duplicate issue.