Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Gunner R. T. Graham, Royal Navy

Arctic Medal 1818-55 (R. T. Graham, H.M.S. Resolute), contemporary engraved naming; Baltic 1854-55 (R. T. Graham, Q.M., H.M.S. Odin), contemporary engraved naming; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (R. T. Graham, Q.M., H.M.S. Odin), contemporary engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British die (R. T. Graham, Q.M., H.M.S. Odin), contemporary engraved naming, the Sebastopol clasp loose on riband and “sprung” on left hand side, minor contact marks, generally very fine or better, rare (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee.

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Robert Thomas Graham was born in Portsmouth in January 1827 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1843. He subsequently participated in the Franklin Search Expedition of 1850-51, as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Resolute, which ship wintered at the tip of Cornwallis Island, and, between 1854-55, as a Quarter-Master, aboard the Odin, witnessed active service in the Baltic and Crimea campaigns. Shortly afterwards appointed a Gunner’s Mate, Graham was finally pensioned ashore as a Gunner, R.N. in April 1881, aged 54 years.

Also see Lot 106 for the awards of his son-in-law and grandson.