Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Algiers N.G.S. to Lieutenant William Sweeting, Royal Navy, who was severely wounded during the action and was rewarded with a Commission for his gallant conduct

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Algiers (William Sweeting, Midshipman.) extremely fine £2400-2800

Provenance: Glendining March 1992.

William Sweeting was born on 23 March 1793 and joined the Royal Navy as First Class Volunteer in July 1807. He was appointed to La Nymphe (Captains C. Shipley and the Hon. Josceline Percy) and served with the latter accompanying the expedition against Copenhagen before proceeding for service on the Mediterranean station. He served as Midshipman in H.M. Ships Centaur, Ville De Paris and Hibernia (flag ships of Rear-Admirals Sir Samuel Hood, T.F. Fremantle, and Sir Richard G. Keats), October 1809-December 1811, and in H.M.S. Minden, December 1811-March 1816. He was appointed Admiralty-Midshipman in H.M.S. Superb (Captain C. Ekins) in July 1816, ‘and on 27 of the ensuing Aug. he was present at the bombardment of Algiers, where he was severely wounded by large splinters in the forehead, right shoulder, and breast. These injuries not being considered equal to the loss of a limb, he received no pecuniary compensation. His conduct, however, procured him a commission dated 16 Sept 1816' (O'Byrne refers).