Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 engraved clasp, Trafalgar, edge engraved, ‘John Parson, Volr. 1st Class, H.M.S. Defiance’, a contemporary struck piece, the disc set into a separate mount, heavy contact marks, good fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Carol Benton Collection of Miniature Medals.

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John Parsons was born at Portsmouth on 7 October 1791. He entered the Royal Navy in 1803 as a 1st Class Volunteer on board the Defiance and was serving aboard the same ship at the battle of Trafalgar. He gained the rank of Midshipman in October 1805. Aboard the Podargus he was present at the surrender of the Russian squadron in the River Tagus in August 1808 and also the transportation of the French Army from Portugal according to the Convention of Cintra. On the night of 15 August 1809, while engaged in landing papers for distribution along the French coast, he fell into the hands of the enemy, who marched him in chains to Havre-de-Grace, where for three months he was confined in a dungeon. Fed on bread and water and hourly expecting to be shot, his life was spared due to his youth. Sent in chains to Arras, where he made an unsuccessful bid to escape, and thence to Verdun, where he remained until December 1813.

On Christmas Day that year he made a successful escape. Heading north he was captured by the Dutch, but was released after his captors declared for the Prince of Orange. Finally arriving in England he was received in April 1814 as Master’s Mate aboard the Wolverine. Serving in the vessel he was present at the attack on Baltimore. In December 1814 he transferred to the Venerable. Whilst serving aboard her tender, the Flying Fish, he gave aid in beating off an attack by a large American schooner. He was promoted Lieutenant in February 1815.