Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Naval long service medal awarded to Jeremiah Rourke, Leading Stoker aboard H.M.S. Discovery during her arctic expedition 1875-76

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Jeremh. Rourke, Leadg. Stokr., H.M.S. Discovery), officially engraved naming, with riband brooch-bar for wearing, good very fine £250-300

Jeremiah Rourke was born in Tralee, Co. Kerry in May 1840 and entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in December 1859. Joining H.M.S. Discovery as a Leading Stoker in April 1875, he was the Number Two of the sledge Stephenson, under Dr Richard W. Coppinger, which left Discovery on 3 April 1876 and remained away from the ship for 124 days. During this time they crossed to the depot at Polaris Bay and, from 18 May to 7 June, explored Petermann Fjord. He subsequently qualified for the Arctic Medal 1876, in addition to his L.S. & G.C. Medal in the same year. Rourke was advanced to Engine Room Artificer in May 1879 and was finally pensioned ashore in March 1885.