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

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (1st Cl. P.O. 1st Cl. Smn. Gnr. R. D. Hosking, H.M.S. Heron) nearly extremely fine and very scarce

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

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An unusual instance of finding the sub specialist qualification of “lst Class Seaman Gunner” included in the edge details placed on a medal, a qualification he earned aboard the Gunnery Training Ship CAMBRIDGE on 22 December 1865. He was an A.B. during this campaign and not advanced to Petty Officer until 1868.

Born Plymouth on 28 January 1843. For some unknown reason his service sheet does not contain details of his service career. The Description Book of H.M.S. HERON reveals that he joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. ROYAL WILLIAM on 25 August 1857. Advanced to Able Seaman whilst aboard H.M.S. NARCISSUS on 1 May 1864. Drafted to H.M.S.HERON in April 1866 and attained Petty Officer status (without passing through the rate of Leading Seaman) as a Quarter Master in August 1868. In September 1869 he was “paid off” from HERON and took passage back to England aboard H.M.S. ABOUKIR. It seems most likely that at this time he purchased his discharge, thereby denying himself his pension and other possible advantages. His name does appear amongst those men serving on 1st January 1873 who were automatically granted an Official Number at that time.