Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (T. Shepherd. Commr., “Spy”) good very fine, rare £400-500

Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

T. Shepherd commanded the Bengal Marine Vessel Spy from 1852-54, during which period she was stationed near Rangoon, engaged in surveying the Irrawaddy River. The History of the Indian Navy refers to an action in February 1853 whilst Spy was surveying the Irrawaddy during the Anglo-Burmese War: ‘When near Chinjao, a triangulation party in boats and ashore came under fire, wounding Mr. Lay. Mr. Shepherd returned fire, but Lieutenant Ward (of Spy), in charge of the survey, decided to give up the triangulation work as the Malay crew, who had jumped into the water, would not act in support of their officers.’

Shepherd was subsequently Marine Assistant to the Commissioner in Arakan.