Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1842 (William Ferns, Petty Offr, H.M.S. Hyacinth) replacement straight bar suspension, traces of brooch mounting to edge at 3 and 9 o’clock, fine £200-240

William Ferns was born in Prestonpans in April 1815, and enlisted in the Royal Navy in May 1834, transferring to H.M.S. Hyacinth in June 1838. He was commissioned Gunner in November 1853, and served as Gunner 2nd Class in H.M.S. Encounter during the Second China War (entitled to a China 1842 clasp in lieu of a no-clasp China 1857-60 medal).

Like many recipients of the China 1842 clasp, it would appear that Ferns never attached the clasp to his original medal, as in order to do so the suspension and riband would need to be reduced from 1 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches (article by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris, Orders and Medals Research Journal 1979 refers).