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

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1891-2 (C. Poulter, Corpl., H.M.S. Widgeon) the obverse a little polished, otherwise very fine

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

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Charles Poulter was born on 26 February 1867 in the village of St Paul's, Cambridge, and earned his living as a labourer before enlisting in the Royal Marines on 26 May 1885. On completion of Recruit Training at Walmer he joined the Chatham Division as a Private on 24 July 1886 and transferred to the Plymouth Division on 10 August 1886. He embarked in H.M.S. ROYAL ADELAIDE on 1 January 1887 and returned to Plymouth Division on 22 June 1887, before next embarking in CONQUEROR on 5 July 1887. He was next aboard VALOROUS on 7 December 1887, and whilst in this vessel was promoted to Corporal on 5 May 1888. He returned to Plymouth Division on being paid off from VALOROUS on 30 June 1888, and rejoined ROYAL ADELAIDE on 15 June 1889 and disembarked to the Plymouth Division on 12 April 1890. He served next aboard WIDGEON on 13 May 1890, and was landed for service with the Expedition against Chief Fodeh Calbah up the Gambia River, 29 December 1891 to 5 February 1892. He transferred to PENELOPE on 17 September 1893, and continued to serve in this ship until discharged by purchase on 5 January 1894. He was not entitled to a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal having served only nine years. His service record carries the note that whilst serving with the Plymouth Division in 1889 ‘he was recommended for praiseworthy conduct by Major Keith, R.M.L.I., for rescuing two boys who had been upset in an outrigger boat in Plymouth Sound’.