Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good early Victorian campaign service group of three awarded to Admiral J. R. Veitch, Royal Navy, who, as a 13 year old Mate, was severely wounded in the face at the storming of Acre in 1840: on finally coming ashore, after further active service in the Baltic, he served as Governor of Walton Prison, Liverpool

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (James R. Veitch, Mate); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; St. Jean D’Acre 1840, silver, the first with edge nicks and contact marks, nearly very fine, the others rather better (3) £1600-1800

James Richard Veitch was born on St. Mary’s in the Scilly Isles in September 1827, the son of Captain James Veitch, R.N., and entered the Royal Navy as an apprentice Mate in H.M.S. Hastings in 1840, aged 13 years.

Subsequently actively employed in the Syrian Campaign, young James was severely wounded in the face at the storming of Acre, partially losing the sight of one eye (Medal & clasp).

His subsequent seagoing appointments as a Lieutenant included employment on the Pacific Station in Inconstant (1847-50); the Penguin (1850-55); and in the Arrogant (1855-57), including a turn of duty in the Baltic (Medal). His obituary notice in The Times also credits him with the award of the ‘Medal from the Turkish Government.’

Having then been advanced to Commander in May 1857, he served in the Boscawen (1858-60) and the Revenge (1861-62), in which latter year he was promoted to Captain.

Placed on the Retired List in April 1870, Veitch received further advancement, being appointed Rear-Admiral in March 1878, Vice-Admiral in July 1884 and Admiral in December 1888.