Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, G.IV.R., silver, the outer silver rim engraved (Lieut. Mattw. Combe, R.N. Voted 12 Marh. 1845) fitted with small rings for suspension, very fine £300-£400

Lieutenant Matthew Combe, R.N., Chief Officer H.M. Coastguard, No. 2 Battery, Dungeness. Voted 12 March 1845:

‘31 January 1845: The vessel William Harribgton, outward bound, grounded at Dungeness, Kent, at 9 a.m. in a severe snow storm at low water. When the weather cleared, she was seen by Lieutenant Combe who launched the Coastguard galley with four of his men. The sea was running very high and the north wind was strengthening, but the galley carried a short way over the sands at half water and got alongside. A rope was passed on board the vessel but the sea upset the galley, and the Coastguards were thrown into the water except for Lieutenant Combe who clung to the vessel’s side. Two of the men were drowned, whilst the other two succeeded in getting hold of a rope and were saved. With the assistance of No. 1 Battery’s boat and two Deal boats, the William Harrington was refloated later and taken to Portsmouth for repairs.’

Matthew Combe was born at Newhaven, Edinburgh, and entered the Navy on 30 June 1808. He passed for Lieutenant on 3 August 1814, but had to wait another 11 years before he received his commission as Lieutenant on 27 May 1825. He was appointed to the Coastguard on 9 January 1838, and died in 1847 according to the obituary section of the December 20th Navy List of that year.