The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Geo. W. Rice, Actg. Flag Lieut. “Fox”) light edge bruises, otherwise very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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George Rice received his Commission as Lieutenant on 19 January 1848, joining H.M.S. FOX on 25 March 1852. Although his medal is named to the FOX, he earned his promotion to Commander for services in his temporary appointment as the commanding officer of the Bengal Marine Ship MAHANUDDY. He was mentioned in Rear Admiral C. J. Austen’s dispatch dated 16 April 1852, with reference to the recent storming and capture of the strongholds of Martaban and Rangoon: ‘..Lieutenant George Rice, in temporary command of the MAHANUDDY, rendered essential service to the cause. Admirably handling his little vessel, he landed men on the beach to storm stockades, covering their landing with his own guns, and at the storming of them he was to be seen among the foremost ranks. In landing men, stores and baggage, and ascending the narrow creeks of this river, the MAHANUDDY has proved most useful..’ (The Calcutta Gazette 28 April 1852).

He was present on 19 May 1852 at the storming and capture of the city of Bassein, and referred to in the despatch of Commodore G. R. Lambert (20 May): ‘..Amongst those I have to enumerate as sufferers on this occasion, I have to name Lieutenant George W. Rice of Her Majesty’s Ship FOX, who received a severe and painful wound through the right hand whilst gallantly leading his party of seamen into the stockade, and as this officer has been specially named by the Commander-in-Chief at the taking of Rangoon, I beg to recommend him most strongly to their Lordships’ consideration for promotion..’.

George Rice was invalided from the service on 18 December 1852, subsequently receiving special promotion to the rank of Commander, to date from 25 February 1853, for services in the War with Burma, but he died on 18 March 1853 as a result of the wounds he had earlier received. His campaign medal was forwarded to his family at Woodhead on 24 June 1856.