Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, this loose on riband (G. H. H. Greathed Lieut. H.M.S. Britannia) officially engraved by Messrs Hunt & Roskell, minor correction to latter part of surname, extremely fine £600-£800

George Herbert Harris Greathed was born in 1821 and entered the Royal Navy in 1832. He passed his examination on 16 May 1840, and served as Mate on the Mediterranean and Home Stations, in the Indus, Queen, Formidable, and St. Vincent. He obtained his commission on 7 February 1846 and then served in the Mediterranean in H.M.S. Harlequin. Appointed First Lieutenant in H.M.S. Britannia, he was mortally wounded in the trenches before Sebastopol on 20 October 1854 whilst serving on shore with the Naval Brigade and died the same day.

Lord Raglan’s report to the Duke of Newcastle, dated 23 October 1854, states: ‘The naval batteries have continued their exertions without intermission, and I regret to have to report the death of two gallant officers of the Royal Navy; the Non. Lieutenant Ruthven who has died of his wounds, and Lieutenant Greathed of Her Majesty’s ship Britannia. Both are universally regretted. The latter received a mortal wound while laying a gun, after having, to use the language of Brigadier-General Eyre, who was then in charge of the trenches, “performed his duty in the batteries in a manner that excited the admiration of all”.’