Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (J. Dukes, Qr. Mr. H.M.S. Esk, 20 Yrs.) minor contact marks, very fine £150-180

John Duke was born in Wandsworth, Surrey in 1816. He joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. Ocean in 1839 and was advanced to Able Seaman in the following year. In 1848 he was advanced to Quarter Master whilst serving aboard H.M.S. Sidon but reverted to Able Seaman when transferred to H.M.S. Castor in 1849. Serving in this vessel during the period 1849-53 gained him entitlement to the South Africa Medal 1834-53. Transferring to H.M.S. Amphion in 1853, he served in the Baltic and was advanced to Leading Seaman in 1856. In 1857 he joined firstly H.M.S. Bann as Captain of the Mast and then H.M.S. Severn as Quarter Master. With the same rate he transferred to H.M.S. Esk in 1858 and served in the China War, being entitled to a China Medal 1857-60 without clasp. He received his L.S.& G.C. and was pensioned to shore in 1861.