Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain S. P. Brett, Royal Navy

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Spencer P. Brett, Acg. Mate, “Cleopatra”); Baltic 1854-55 (Spencer P. Brett, Lieutenant, R.N., “James Watt”), engraved naming; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (Spencer P. Brett, Senior Lieut., H.M.S. Cambrian), engraved naming, good very fine (3) £520-580

Spencer Phipps Brett was born on 23 February 1831. Entering the Royal Navy; from 4 May 1852 he was ranked as an Acting Mate, and in this capacity served aboard the 6th rate Cleopatra in the Pegu campaign. After service aboard the Duke of Wellington, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 19 April 1854 and saw service in the Baltic aboard the 90-gun ship James Watt. Later, volunteering for service in the Pacific, he was appointed Senior Lieutenant on the frigate Cambrian. In this vessel he was present at the action at the Taku Forts in 1860. He was mentioned in Admiral Seymour’s report in 1859 as ‘Having been engaged in a successful expedition in the neighbourhood of Canton’. He was promoted to Commander for his services in China on 16 April 1864. Four years later his naval career hung in the balance - on 8 August 1868 he was tried by court martial for ‘certain disgraceful practices’. Although being honourably acquitted he was severely reprimanded and forfeited two years’ seniority for a ‘serious breach of the regulations’. Despite this he was promoted Captain, retiring with this rank in 1873, aged 42, ending a seemingly promising career. Captain Brett died of senile decay on the 24 February 1912 aged 81 years.