Orders, Decorations and Medals

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Gaieta 24 July 1815, Algiers (W. S. Stanhope, Lieut. R.N.) nearly extremely fine £1400-1800

Ex J. B. Hayward & Son (June 1975). Approximately 88 clasps issued for the attack on Gaieta, near Naples.

William Spencer Stanhope was born on 4 January 1793, fourth son of Walter Spencer Stanhope, of Cannon Hall, Yorkshire. He assumed the surname and arms of Roddam, on inheriting, in 1806, the estates of his kinsman and godfather Admiral Robert Roddam. He entered the navy in March 1806, as First Class Volunteer on board the Ocean, bearing the flag in the Mediterranean of his cousin Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood, with whom he continued to serve as Midshipman in the Ville de Paris, until the death of that veteran hero in March 1810. After several appointments he was promoted, August 1812, to the rank of Lieutenant and removed to the Berwick, Captain Edward Brace. In that ship he co-operated in the reduction of Genoa and the siege of Gaieta in July 1815. Following Captain Brace, in July 1816, into the Impregnable, he fought, on the 16th of the next month, at the battle of Algiers. Soon afterwards he was placed on Half Pay and did not serve afloat again. He was promoted to Retired Commander in October 1854, and died in late 1864, aged 70.