Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Baltic 1854-55 (Hy. Croft. Cr. R.N.) contemporary engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £180-£220

Henry Croft was born at Hull, Yorkshire, on 21 January 1813, son of Admiral William Croft. According to his obituary in the Army and Navy Gazette, he ‘entered the service in 1826, and in 1828 he was appointed midshipman to the Blonde, under Capt. (afterwards Lord) Lyons, and was employed at the blockading of Navarino and at the taking of Morea Castle, subsequently serving in the Prince Regent, Capt. Dundas, the Stag, Sir Thos. Trowbridge, and the Malabar, Capt. the Hon. Joceline Percy. While on the latter he passed examination, in 1832, as lieut., but for some time subsequently he served as mate. He also served as mate on the Thunderer, the Phoenix, and the Savage. In this latter, whilst off the north coast of Spain, he several times landed in command of small arms parties and marines to act as support of the Legion operating under Gen. Evans. He was appointed 2nd lieut. to the Rover, Capt. Symonds, in 1841, and was, while serving in this ship, specially recommended for promotion for performing an act of gallant daring in lowering a boat and rescuing a seaman. He met with an accident and had two attacks of yellow fever, the subsequent effects of which led to his retirement in 1864. He served as lieut. of the Winchester, Queen and Scout, and was appointed to the Crocodile as 1st lieut. in 1846. This ship was employed in conveying troops to Hudson’s Bay, and had a remarkably difficult passage on account of the ice, and as the commander was laid up during the greater part of the voyage the command fell on to lieut. Croft, who was strongly recommended to the Admiralty and received their thanks. Afterwards serving in the Spartan, Capt. Symonds, he was specially mentioned in despatches, and again when serving in the Ajax, Capt. Quin. He was again recommended for jumping overboard and saving a seaman’s life, and also for proficiency displayed in training seamen. At the outbreak of the Russian War he was appointed commander of the Caesar, under Capt. Robb, in the Baltic fleet, and at the very close of the war he received the Crimean (sic) medal, and was promoted to captain, and was subsequently offered the command of the Valorous, but from the effects of the accident and the fever whilst serving in the West Indies he was compelled to decline this, and was placed on the Retired List in 1864 with good service pension.’ He advanced to Retired Admiral on 27 March 1885, and died at Norbiton, Surrey, on 26 January 1892. Sold with full research and an old ivorine display label inscribed ‘Admiral H. Croft’.