Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (Lt. J. W. A. Kennedy, R.M., H.M.S. Castor) officially re-impressed, good very fine and scarce £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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Sotheby’s, March 1984.

Approximately 155 New Zealand dated 1845-1846 were awarded, of which 62 were awarded to H.M.S. Castor, 30 of which are recorded as known in Naval Medals 1793-1856, by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris.

John William Alexander Kennedy was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Marines, in 1841, and served in H.M.S. Castor from 1843 to 1847. He was promoted First Lieutenant and appointed Adjutant in 1845, and served under Admiral Sir T. Cochrane during the operations against the pirates in Borneo in August 1845, where he was engaged on shore during the action at Brunei, the destruction of a stockade, and the capture of a battery of guns together with large quantities of ammunition. Subsequently, he participated - with the foremost line of boats - at the attack of the pirate stronghold of Mallodoo and on the boom being broken, was landed with the Royal Marine Force which drove the pirates from their entrenchments and pursued them up country.

In 1846, Kennedy served with the force under Colonel Despard in operations in New Zealand, and was actively engaged in the advance on, siege and capture of the Ruapekapeka Stockade, an event which ended the war. He was advanced Colonel in 1871, and retired with the honorary rank of Major-General in 1878.

Sold with copied research.