Figure 1: Obverse (left) and reverse of the Territorial Force War Medal. Medal collectors generally are quite aware of numbers – especially when those numbers indicate the number of medals awarded for a specific campaign or the number of clasps awarded to a specific regiment for a
Read more →In early 1875 the Admiralty decided to discontinue the WIDE suspender LS & GC medal and introduce the Narrow suspender. This took the suspender width from 1½ to 1¼ inches. This doesn’t sound like much, but results in an significant visual reduction when compared side by side. Simultaneous
Read more →
The attachment of the so called “Swords on Ring” to order decorations embodied in all cases a symbol for those that had been awarded decorations for merit in war and for bravery once being promoted to a higher grade of an order. Without this attribute, the sign
Read more →
Introduction: In 1790 Emperor Leopold II established the Commemoration Medal for Volunteers of Limburg (Figure 1) Erinnerungs-Medaille für Freiwilligeaus der Provinz Limburg) as a reward for bravery or especially meritorious service to the empire by those volunteers from the Austrian Netherlands/Belgium province of Limburg who responded to
Read more →Since my last blogs, where I announced the Royal Navy WIDE suspender Long Service and Good Conduct medal roll and extant list, I have now added all the Royal Marines from the Douglas Morris roll, along with some more known extant medals. So please use this roll
Read more →
The common approach to awarding British medals or clasps only for victories has a downside. What interesting events took place that were characterized as a defeat and therefore did not end up with a medal or clasp to commemorate the event? I don’t know much about
Read more →
Introduction For a first blog about US medals I thought that it would be appropriate to highlight the behind-the-scenes deliberations that were instrumental in creating the modern American medals system that exists today. What I’ve done is copied a half dozen or so US National Archives documents
Read more →
I’ve previously written a blog (click link to view it) on the medals issued by Denmark for the defense of Copenhagen at Nelson’s famous battle on April 2nd 1801. In this blog, I will focus on the British Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840 (NGS), which was
Read more →
Introduction In this blog which is the sixth, and last part, of the series on attachments to Austro-Hungarian orders, medals and decorations, I will review the swords attachment as found on Austro-Hungarian decorations and the last attachment authorized by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is appropriately, it seems
Read more →
The Bavarian Military Commemorative for 1813, 1814, and 1815 (Militärdenkzeichen für 1813, 1814, und 1815) was founded on December 4, 1814 by King Maxmilian Joseph I. for all, “on the payroll of the mobilized army in the years 1813 and 1814, or who were recorded in only
Read more →
• Examination : in 1797 (PRO ADM 6/95/170-171).
• Lieutenant : on 16 December 1797 (2).
• Commander : on 27 April 1801 (13).
• Post-Captain : on 5 March 1808.
• Died: on 5 October 1832.
Sources:
Marshall, vol ix, p. 295.
The Complete Navy List 1793-1815 (CD).
Received the Small Naval Gold medal for Lissa, and also claimed this NGS clasp along with six other clasps. One of 3 confirmed 7 clasp NGS medals. Served on the ‘Flag Officer’s Committee” overseeing the institution of the NGS medal 1847-50. For more details see: O’Byrne (1949)
KCB 2 Jan 1815, Kt.B 29 Jun 1815, GCB 5 Jul 1855
Died on 8 Jan 1869
Received the Small Naval Gold medal for Surprise wh. Hermione, and claimed the NGS medal with clasp for this action as well. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849)
Kt.B 1 Feb 1800, KCB 2 Jan 1815, Bt 26 Jan 1819
Died on 21 Mar 1851
Received the Small Naval Gold Medal for Victorious wh. Rivoli, and also claimed the NGS with this clasp. His medal group sold at Spink in Jun 1982. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849)
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 5 Jul 1842
Died on 7 Jul 1851
For more details see: O’Byrne (1849).
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 13 Nov 1827
Died on 28 Apr 1851
Admiral Robert Stopford (1768-1847)
Small Naval Gold medal for St. Domingo. He directed the operations that resulted in the capture of Java on 8 August 1811. His last active post, in his early seventies, was as commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean fleet during the Syrian War. Claimed the NGS medal with six clasps, the medal is in the NMM. Colonel of the Royal Marines on 9 November 1805. Governor of Greenwich Hospital from 1 May 1841 till his death. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849).
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 6 Jun 1831, GCMG 10 May 1837
Died on 25 June 1847
A veteran of the American Revolutionary War. Received the Small Naval Gold Medal for St. Vincent, which was stolen in 1900 from Greenwich Hospital (with Nelson’s Gold medals). Claimed the NGS medal with ‘St. Vincent’ clasp, the medal is in a private collection in the UK. Shown here as a GCB with Gold Medal. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849).
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 17 Nov 1830
Died on 28 Oct 1849
The man who burned Washington
Claimed a six clasp NGS medal, supposedly the only medal issued to a Rear Admiral. The medal is in the NMM. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849).
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 20 Feb 1818
Died on 19 Aug 1853
Sir Thomas Byam Martin, wearing the KCB star only, having been invested, but not installed in the Order yet.
A veteran of the American Revolutionary War. As Captain of HMS Santa Margarita captured the French frigate Tamise, June 1796. Commanding HMS Fisgard he captured the French Immortalité off Tory Island in October 1798. In the Baltic in August 1808, as Captain of HMS Implacable, took part in the capture the Russian ship Sewolod. Served on the ‘Flag Officer’s Committee’ overseeing the institution of the NGS medal in 1847-50. For more details see: O’Byrne (1849).
KCB 2 Jan 1815, GCB 3 Mar 1830, Kt.B 1814, KS (Sweden) 1808
Died on 21 Oct 1854
