South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (W. Ellard, Pte. R.M, H.M.S. “Active”) light contact marks, nearly very fine £1,800-£2,200

William Ellard was born at Brackley, Southampton, on 30 August 1848, enlisted into the Royal Marines at Southampton on 30 August 1866, and re-engaged on 9 December 1876. He was embarked aboard the following ships during his service: Liffey, September 1863 to November 1868; Chanticleer, November 1868 to March 1872; Boscawen, October 1872 to March 1875; Alert, April 1875 to December 1876; Active, April 1877 to October 1879; Victory, March 1880 to October 1882; and Osborne, February 1882 to September 1887. A Private throughout, he was discharged due to length of service on 4 October 1887.

Whilst serving in H.M.S. Alert he took part in the expedition to find a passage to the North Pole. A note on his record of service states ‘Absent from “Alert” on Arctic Sledging 55 days’. For this service he received the Arctic Medal 1875-76. In January 1877 he also received the L.S. & G.C. medal.

During his service in H.M.S. Active he served in South Africa. There are two notes on his record for this period: (i) ‘Landed with Naval Brigade for operations against Kaffirs from 16th December 1877 until 13th March 1878.’ (ii) ‘Landed with Naval Brigade in Zulu War from 19th November 1878 until 31st July 1879.’ For these services he received the South Africa medal with clasp.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.