Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce ‘wide suspension’ L.S. & G.C. medal dated ‘1848’ below the bust awarded to Quarter Master William Groves for 21 years service

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension, dated ‘1848’ below bust (Willi[am] Groves, Qr. Masr. H.M.S. Howe. 21 Yrs.) heavy edge bruising, contact marks, good fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Extensive Collection of Medals for Long and Meritorious Service.

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Approximately 100 dated ‘1848’ long service medals were awarded. The medal to Groves was approved on 5 July 1850.

William Groves joined as a Boy on Ringdove on 25 June 1826 and served in H.M. Ships Hyperion, Britannia, Melville, Rodney, Vanguard, Star, and Howe until 5 July 1850. He re-engaged at Sheerness Yard as Seaman Rigger on 6 September 1850, then as an Able Seaman and Seaman Rigger, and Captain After Guard on Euryalus until 30 April 1856. He was then engaged again from 21 May 1859 as an Able Seaman with three Good Conduct Badges on board the Minotaur, being promoted to Boatswain's Mate from 1 June 1859. He then transferred to the Cumberland on 1 October 1859 from whence he was sent to Shore for the last time on 30 November 1861.

His service aboard H.M.S. Vanguard was from 22 May 1840 to 16 August 1843 as Captain Fore Top. During this period the Vanguard took part in the combined operations against Syria. In the published roll, a ‘W. J. Groves’, Captain Fore Top on the Vanguard is listed as being entitled to the Naval General Service Medal with clasp for Syria. The roll shows two other recipients of the medal named ‘William Groves’ - both entitled to the clasp ‘Syria’. Sold with copied service papers.