Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (J. Darley. Grs. Mate. H.M.S. Blenheim 22 Yrs) good very fine £500-£600

Joseph Darley was born at Devonport, Devon, on 24 October 1824, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Nimrod on 14 October 1838, advancing to Boy 1st Class on 10 December 1839. He attained the age of 18 years in October 1842, and continued in Nimrod until 22 November 1844. He joined Osprey as an Able Seaman in January 1845, and thereafter to the Castor, 25 May 1846; Meander, 22 January 1848; and Rodney, 10 September 1851. In Rodney he was advanced to 2nd Captain of the Fore Top in March 1852, signed on for 10 Years Continuous Service on 12 April 1854, and advanced to Captain of the Fore Top in October 1855. He joined Excellent in the same rate on 31 January 1856, and Exmouth on 6 October 1856, followed by Excellent again on 21 June 1857, and Eagle on 12 March 1859. He joined his final ship, Blenheim, as Captain of the After-Guard on 12 June 1860, becoming Gunner’s Mate on 1 May 1861, serving as such until his discharge on 1 April 1864. His Medal with Gratuity was authorised on 25 April 1864. Also entitled to medals for China 1842 and Crimea with Sebastopol clasp.