Orders, Decorations and Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895 (E. Westwood, Ord., H.M.S. Widgeon) very fine £600-700

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW October 1996.

Ebenezer Westwood was born in Bethnal Green, Middlesex, on 1 March 1875. After employment as a Steward in the Merchant Service, he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Impregnable on 16 November 1890. He subsequently served aboard H.M. Ships Lion, 1890-92, where he was advanced to Boy 1st Class during October 1891; Bellerophon, 1892-93, where he was made an Ordinary Seaman in March 1893; Widgeon, 15 September 1893 to 26 February 1895, receiving advancement to Able Seaman in May 1894; and Magnificent, 1896-97. His request to change his branch was approved, and he became a Painter 2nd Class whilst on the books of Vivid on 25 January 1897, and continued to serve aboard Phoenix, 1897-1900, Triumph where he was made a Painter 1st Class during May 1902; Europa, 1908-09 and Pyramus, 1909-11. He was invalided from the service from Andromeda and Plymouth Hospital on 9 May 1912. Only 22 medals issued with this clasp combination.