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

Pair: India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Pegu, Persia (R. Hurlock, Midn. ‘Feerooz”) the second clasp loose on ribbon as issued; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (Lt., H.M.S. Coromandel I.N.) suspension re-fixed on the second, both with edge bruises, therefore nearly very fine (2)

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

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Lieutenant Hurlock joined the Indian Navy in June1849. He was employed for eight months in the boats of the FEEROOZ on the rivers Irrawaddy, Salween, and Sittang during the Burma campaign. In the same vessel he participated in the campaign in Persia.

During the Indian Mutiny he was actively employed ashore with the many Indian Naval Brigades (Detachments) formed during the rebellion. In September 1858, he marched from Fort William in command of No. 10 Detachment to take over charge of Alipore jail from the military. The guarding of Alipore jail, which contained a large number of convicted mutineers awaiting transportation for life to the Andaman Islands, was an anxious duty as the prisoners were desperate characters. Furthermore, Hurlock had no commissioned officers with him at Alipore; he left Calcutta with a 1st Class Second Master, but shortly after his arrival at Alipore this officer was arrested, he being a Midshipman and a deserter from H.M.S. Sparrowhawk. On being relieved in November 1858, he was placed in command of No. 12 Detachment, raised to garrison Julpigoree, which numbered three officers and a hundred petty officers and seamen. In April 1859, the Detachment was disbanded and Lieutenant Hurlock was placed in command of the depôt at Dumdum, and subsequently proceeded in command of a Naval Guard on board the ‘Sesostris’ and ‘Boanerges’ which conveyed prisoners to the Andaman Islands. Despite the part he played during the Indian Mutiny he was never to receive a medal because of the fourteen Naval Brigades ultimately formed only numbers 3, 4 and 7 Detachments qualified for the Indian Mutiny medal.

In November 1859, this young officer was placed in command of the COROMANDEL in which he participated in the China expedition of 1860. To be given such a command with only ten years ‘sea service’ might seem unusual but ‘the entire period had been passed in continuous active service, without a day’s intermission’. As it transpired his command was only temporary, being relieved by Lieutenant Walker, with whom he remained as First Lieutenant.