Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Canton 1857 operations life saving group of four awarded to Rear-Admiral E. J. Pollard, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Actg. Mate E. J. Pollard, H.M.S. Vengeance) contemporary engraved naming; China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1860, unnamed as issued; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue by ‘JB’, unnamed; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful), (Lieut. E. J. Pollard, R.N. H.M.S. Woodcock, 25 Nov. 1857) lacking silver ribbon buckle, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (4) £800-900

Edwin John Pollard was born on 21 April 1833, and joined the Navy as a Naval Cadet in October 1846. He served as Mate on the Vengeance during operations in the Black Sea, from the commencement of the Crimean war, until April 1855, including the attack on the sea defences of Sebastopol in 1854 (Crimean and Turkish Medals, Sebastopol clasp). Promoted to Lieutenant in February 1855, he commanded the gunboat Woodcock at the bombardment and capture of Canton in December 1857, and repulsed a very determined attack of fire rafts on his ship at the same place. In 1858 he took part in the operations in the North of China, including the capture of Tien-tsin, and was engaged in the bombardment and capture of the city of Namtow in August 1858. In 1860 he was employed in command of Staunch in the Gulf of Pechili, and was present at the second capture of the Peiho forts and Tien-tsin. He was specially mentioned for zeal in Commander-in-Chief’s despatches whilst engaged in carrying troops and stores, and disembarking them at Tien-tsin, and was promoted to Commander for this service (China Medal, Canton and Taku 1860 clasps).

Whilst in command of Woodcock, on 25 November, 1857, Lieutenant Pollard jumped into the Canton River off Tiger Island, and supported J. White, A.B., who had fallen overboard from the vessel, until a boat arrived. For this service he received the Silver Medal and Vellum Certificate of the Royal Humane Society.

Pollard was promoted to Captain in April 1868 and to Retired Rear-Admiral in July 1885. He was subsequently J.P. and D.L. for the county of Norfolk, where he resided at Haynford Hall, near Norwich. Admiral Pollard died on 15 September 1909.