Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Nelson Testimonial Medal 1844, by E. Avern, obv. bust of Nelson facing left, enclosed by a garter, ‘England Expects Every Man Will do His Duty’; rev. View of the Column in Trafalgar Square, with the National Gallery and the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in the background, ‘To Commemorate the Opening of the Nelson Testimonial in Trafalgar Squ.’; exergue, ‘21 October 1844’, 60mm., pewter, pierced for ring suspension, ref. Hardy 97, M.H.531, very fine £600-800

The ‘Gentlemen of the Parish of St. Martins’ had raised a subscription for the purpose of giving a dinner to veteran sailors on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of Nelson’s Column. Unsuccessful in this regard, the fund was instead used to strike a commemorative medal to be awarded to the veterans together with a gratuity of 10 shillings. The medal was duly struck and presented on 2 April 1845 to eligible In-pensioners of Greenwich Hospital; being awarded to 39 who had served at Cape St. Vincent, 35 at the Nile, 45 at Copenhagen and 238 at Trafalgar. A total of 357 awards. Milford Haven states that the medals were struck for presentation to the Royal Marine guard-of-honour who were present at the ceremonial opening of the monument but this is unsubstantiated (Ref: Remember Nelson, by Thomas A. Hardy, 2005 and Naval Medals 1793-1856, by K. J. Douglas-Morris, 1987). See also Lot 254