Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare four-clasp N.G.S. medal awarded to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Richardson, K.C.B., Royal Navy, who as a Lieutenant distinguished himself during the battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797, when he volunteered to ‘go in an open boat’ and capture the Dutch Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief, Admiral De Wet, before he could effect his escape from his stricken ship - Richardson presented De Wet to Admiral A. Duncan and in recognition of this was appointed as his Signal Lieutenant; he successfully commanded a division of seaman attached to the Army under Sir Ralph Abercromby in the Expedition to Holland in 1799, and was similarly employed with Abercromby in Egypt, before carrying out the same role to great effect at the investment of Flushing under his old friend and patron Sir Richard J. Strachan. Richardson had developed into somewhat of a specialist in this field and in 1815 was nominated for the C.B., having ‘For more than 26 Years, passed in active service at Sea and in co-operation with troops on Shore in every quarter of the globe’, indeed apart from his gallant and meritorious naval services, Richardson was about 140 years ahead of his time in pioneering ‘Combined Operations’.

Naval General Service 1793-1840, four clasps, 1 June 1794, Camperdown, Egypt, Basque Roads 1809 (C. Richardson, Lieutenant R.N.) good very fine £14,000-£18,000

Confirmed on the rolls as Master’s Mate in H.M.S. Royal George 100 guns (flag ship for Sir A. Hood) at the fleet action that became known as ‘The Glorious First of June’; as Senior Lieutenant in H.M.S. Circe at the defeat of the Dutch fleet by the British Naval squadrons under Admiral Duncan, including the capture of nine ships-of-the-line and two frigates off the Dutch coast, 11 October 1797; as Lieutenant in H.M.S. Kent in co-operation with the Army on and off the coast of Egypt in 1801 and as Captain in H.M.S. Caesar during Lord Cochrane’s successful destruction of a number of French ships, including four ships-of-the-line, in the Basque Roads, off St. Nazaire, 11-12 April 1809.

Approximately 88 four clasp awards issued.

It is known from a surviving portrait that Richardson originally received, and wore, a medal with two clasps, those being the gold medal actions of 1 June 1794 and Camperdown authorised in the list published in the London Gazette of June 1847. His medal was issued in the rank of Lieutenant, reflecting the rank he held at Camperdown, and it is clear that he must have received one from the first few batches of medals issued, before the London Gazette announcement in June 1848 which authorised further clasps, including Basque Roads, to which he was entitled as Captain of the Caesar. His clasp for Basque Roads is recorded as being an ‘Additional Claim’ in the Admiralty claims list, but no rank is given, and no doubt further confusion occurred with the London Gazette announcement in February 1850 authorising the issue of the clasp for Egypt, to which he was also entitled in the rank of Lieutenant. Perhaps it was an oversight that, strictly speaking, Richardson should have been given a new medal in the rank of Captain, which rank he held at Basque Roads. He is shown in the Navy List for 1850 as being in receipt of a medal with two clasps but he would be required to submit his medal to receive the additional two clasps to which he was entitled. His death occurred later in the same year, effectively bringing the matter to a close.

Charles Richardson was born in 1769 and joined the Royal Navy as Captain’s Servant in H.M.S. Vestal (Captain R. J. Strachan), in November 1787; after accompanying an embassy to China he removed with Strachan to H.M.S. Phoenix 36 guns and ‘was present, 19 November 1791, while cruising off the Malabar coast in company with the Perseverance frigate, in an obstinate engagement (produced by a resistance on the part of the French Captain to a search being imposed by the British upon two merchant vessels under his orders) with La Résolue of 46 guns, whose colours were not struck until she had herself sustained a loss of 25 men killed and 40 wounded, and had occasioned one to the Phoenix of 6 killed and 11 wounded. While on the East India station Mr. Richardson was for several months employed in the boats in co-operating up different rivers, with the army under Sir Robert Abercromby in its operations against Tippoo Saib’.

Having attained the ranks of Midshipman and Master’s Mate and having fought with H.M.S. Royal George in Lord Howe’s actions of 29th May and 1st June 1794, Richardson was appointed Lieutenant in H.M.S. Circe (Captain P. Halkett), in August.
1794 - ‘of that frigate he was First-Lieutenant during the great mutiny at the Nore; where his exertions in preventing the crew from acquiring the ascendancy gained him, in common with his Captain and the other officers of the ship, the thanks of the Admiralty. The Circe forming one of Lord Duncan’s repeaters in the action off Camperdown, 11 October 1797, Lieutenant Richardson on that occasion achieved an important exploit. Fearing lest the Dutch Admiral, De Winter, after his own ship had been dismasted and silenced, should effect his escape on board some other, he volunteered to go in an open boat and take him out. Succeeding in his object he had the honour of presenting him in person to the British Commander-in-Chief [Admiral A. Duncan] who, in consequence, received him on promotion in January 1798 on board his flag ship the Venerable 74, and made him, 6 March following his Signal Lieutenant in the Kent 74 (Captain W. M. Hope)’.

In the following year Richardson was sent with the expedition to Holland, where he commanded a division of seaman, attached to the army under Sir Ralph Abercromby, from the period of the debarkation near the Helder until the surrender of the Dutch squadron under Admiral Storey. With the conclusion of the expedition Richardson was ordered home in charge of a Dutch 68 gun ship; after assisting Abercromby again, this time in Egypt, he removed to H.M.S. Penelope (Captain the Hon. H. Blackwood). Following this he was nominated Acting-Commander of H.M.S. Alligator 28, armée-en-flûte, in July 1802. Whilst aboard that ship Captain Richardson directed the movements of the flotilla employed at the reduction of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice in 1803, and was highly spoken of in the public despatches for his exertions at the taking of Surinam in the spring of 1804. [London Gazette 1804, pp. 755, 761]. On the 6th of July in that year he was, in consequence, invested by Sir Samuel Hood with the command of the Centaur 74, the ship bearing his broad pennant, an act which the Admiralty confirmed on the 27th of Sept.

Richardson returned to England in March 1805. Appointed to H.M.S. Caesar (bearing the flag of his old friend and patron Sir Richard J. Strachan) in January 1806, he was employed in the latter off Rochefort and subsequently in the Mediterranean. On 23 February 1809, the Caesar, then bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Stopford, but still commanded by Captain Richardson, assisted, along with the Defiance and the Donegal, at the destruction of three French frigates in the Sable d'Olonne. On that occasion his ship sustained considerable damage in her bowsprit and rigging, by the fire from several batteries under which the enemy had sought refuge.

He next served with Strachan in the expedition to the Scheldt, during which the town of Camvere offered it's surrender to Richardson, he being the senior naval officer being present on shore, terms having been agreed with him and Lieutenant-General Fraser. During the investment of Flushing he landed at the head of a brigade of seaman, and commanded a battery of six 24-pounders with much effect. His services throughout the operations were so important and his zeal and bravery so very conspicuous that he elicited the public praise of the Earl of Chatham, the Military Commander-in-Chief, and the high approbation of Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, who conducted the siege, and of Major-General McLeod, commanding officer of the Royal Artillery. [London Gazette 1809, pp. 1233, 1322].

Richardson exchanged into the frigate Semiramis, for service off Lisbon during April 1810. Whilst serving with the latter in company with H.M.S. Diana (Captain W. Ferris) at the mouth of the river Gironde, on 25 August 1811, they discovered 4 sail under the escort of a brig of war. The Diana accounted for the Teazer (formerly a British vessel) whilst Richardson succeeded ‘in driving on shore, and burning under the guns of the batteries at Royan, Le Pluvier a national brig of 16 guns and 136 men. The Semiramis suffered only 3 wounded, for which exploit Richardson again received the thanks of the Admiralty. [London Gazette 1811, p. 1752].

Richardson then went on to capture a large number of prizes, including the Grand Jean Bart, privateer of 14 guns and 106 men. The Semiramis was paid off on 29 August 1814, and Richardson was shortly afterwards nominated for a C.B. as a reward for his meritorious conduct during a period of more than twenty-six years passed in active service at sea, and in co-operation with troops on shore in every quarter of the globe.

After three years with H.M.S. Leander, Richardson was appointed to H.M.S. Topaze, ‘and proceeded in her from Pulo Penang to China, where 14 of his crew were dangerously wounded by the natives, while employed filling water at Lintin. Two Chinese having been killed by the Topaze's fire, disputes ensued with the authorities at Canton, which led to the suspension of all commercial intercourse, the embarkation of the British factory without passes, and the departure of all the Hon. Company's ships lying in the Tigris. At length, however, a Mandarin of high rank was sent on board the frigate to discuss this unpleasant affair; and he proving a sensible and moderate man, the business was satisfactorily adjusted, and matters restored to their former footing, in the spring of 1822. Richardson was invalided to the Cape of Good Hope in that same year.

He was a Rear-Admiral in 1837, K.C.B. 1841, and Vice-Admiral of the White, December 1847. With his prize money, which had made him a wealthy man, he purchased the estate of Painsthorpe Hall, East Yorkshire, where he died, aged 81, on 10 November 1850. He is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Kirby Underdale, East Riding of Yorkshire, where his gravestone erroneously gives his age as 83. He is also commemorated by a marble plaque in St Patrick’s Church, Bampton, Cumbria, which is inscribed:

‘Sacred to the memory of/Vice Admiral Sir Charles Richardson, Knight/Commander of the Order of the Bath/Baptized March 10th 1769/Died Nov 10th 1850/He entered the Navy in 1787, was present in the/battles of the 1st of June/and Camperdown/was made Post Captain in 1803, and served/with great distinction to the end of the War/repeatedly receiving the thanks of the Officers/under whose command he was placed/this monument is erected in compliance with his wish/that such a record should prove to the youth/of this Parish in which he was educated/that by uprightness of conduct/zeal and long service in their country’s cause/they may without any advantage of birth/attain the highest Rank and Honours/from a grateful country.’

See also ‘A Tar of the Last War: being the Services and Anecdotes of Sir Charles Richardson, K.C.B., Vice Admiral of the White’ by the Rev. C. E. Armstrong, January 1855, Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans, London.