The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

A scarce Ashantee campaign C.G.M. group of three awarded to Petty Officer Michael Burke, Royal Navy, for gallantry on the Prah River in August 1873

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd type (M. Burke, Captn. Mn. Top. R.N. Chamah); Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (M. Burke, Py. Offr. 1Cl. H.M.S. Rattlesnake 73-74); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Michl. Burke, Cap. F.Cle., H.M.S. Narcissus) engraved naming, light contact marks, otherwise better than very fine (3)

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

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The following recommendation was submitted by Commodore J. E. Commerell, R.N.: “Behaved with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, and the latter (William Holloway, Quarter Master) was wounded on the occasion of the attack on our boats in the Prah River [14 August 1873]. Their services were secondary to those of Godden and Sermon, but Burke and Holloway are most worthy of consideration.”

The first Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was introduced in 1855 specifically for acts of gallantry during the Crimean War, and was not extended to later campaigns. It was, however, reinstituted in july 1874, when twenty two awards were made for acts of gallantry during the Ashantee War. Four awards were made to men from H.M.S. RATTLESNAKE for gallantry when the boats were attacked near Chamah on the Prah River in August 1873.

Michael Burke was born in Queenstown, County Cork, on 7 October 1845, and entered the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class on 10 November 1857 aboard H.M.S. AMPHION. He was advanced to Able Seaman on 17 July 1869, just prior to joining RATTLESNAKE on 21 October, and to Leading Seaman in September 1871 and Petty Officer in February 1872. He served a three year commission aboard NARCISSUS, receiving his L.S. & G.C. medal in June 1875 after 13 years adult service. He achieved Chief Petty Officer status aboard MONARCH in April 1878 and was finally pensioned on 1 September 1881.