Orders, Decorations and Medals

China 1842 (Edward Taverner, H.M.S. Cornwallis) the ribbon fitted with 2 clasps, ‘China 1842’ and ‘Canton 1857’, very slight traces of brooch mounting to the obverse, otherwise very fine and rare £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

View
Collection

Ex Douglas-Morris collection 1996.

Confirmed on the medal rolls as one of the 101 recipients of the 1st China War medal with ‘China 1842’ and/or 2nd China War clasps, one of 19 to receive this combination.

Edward Taverner was born in Deal, Kent, on 22 January 1822. Joined the service as a Landsman aboard H.M.S. Stag on 18 March 1840, and was drafted to H.M.S. Cornwallis (1841-44) as an Ordinary Seaman, with advancement to Able Seaman in January 1843. He found employment outside the Royal Navy from November 1844 until rejoining the service in March 1846 aboard Gladiator (1846-49). Subsequently served aboard Cruizer (1853-56) where he gained Petty Officer status for a short period during the Baltic campaign (entitled to the Baltic medal), and Niger (1856-61) receiving advancement to Ship’s Corporal in June 1856, and made Captain of the Forecastle in November 1858. His last vessel was H.M.S. Phaeton (1861-62) as Captain of the Forecastle when pensioned with 21 years servitude on 13 May 1862, but he was ineligible for the L.S. & G.C. medal.