Orders, Decorations and Medals

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (Wm. Clay, Captn. F. Top, H.M.S. Eclipse) officially impressed naming, very fine £400-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866.

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Collection

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW October 1996.

William Clay's medal was issued on 2 November 1870, and is one of three known to this ship with these dates which should normally be ‘1863 to 1865.’ 75 medals (13 to R.N. officers, 49 to R.N. ratings, and 13 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were awarded to H.M.S. Eclipse of which 34 are known. Of these, 11 have the 1865 dated reverse, 3 have the reverse dated 1863-1864, one has the reverse dated 1864-1866, and the balance are dated 1863-1865.

Ref Captain Kenneth Douglas-Morris Naval Medals 1857-1880, p. 168 “Entitled to Baltic as Ord 2nd Cl H.M.S. CRESSY and LS & GC Vic WS as Gunner's Mate aboard H.M. MINOTAUR 20 Years.”

William Clay was born in London on 7 August 1834, and first entered the service as an Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Cressy in April 1854 until December 1855. He subsequently served aboard H.M. Ships Drake (1857-59) being advanced to A.B. in October 1857; Excellent (1859-1861) achieving the specialist rate of 'Diver' in June 1860; Bacchante (1861-63) where he received Petty Officer status as Quartermaster and Captain of the Hold, in May and July 1863 respectively, and then served aboard St George (1865-68) as a Gunner's Mate. After three more years aboard Excellent (1868-71) he served his last commission aboard H.M.S. Minotaur (August 1871 to March 1873) from which vessel he was 'pensioned with medal' after 20 years service upon being discharged to shore. He was also entitled to the Baltic medal for service in Cressy and a wide suspension L.S. & G.C. medal as Gunner’s Mate aboard Minotaur with 20 years service.