Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The fine and unique 4-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to Gunner George Shirley, Royal Navy, who served on board the flagships of Sir Hyde Parker on 14 March 1795, of Sir Horatio Nelson at the Nile, and of Lord Keith in Egypt, later promoted to Gunner

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 4 clasps, 14 March 1795, Nile, Egypt, Martinique (Goe. Shirley, Master’s Mate.) original ribbon, nearly extremely fine £12,000-£16,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

Glendining’s March 1919.

This combination of four clasps appears to be unique.

George Shirley joined the Courageux in February 1791, aged 20, and transferred as an Able Seaman to St George in February 1793, flagship of Vice Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (Captain Foley) in Hotham’s action on 14 March 1793. He transferred in March 1798 to the Vanguard, flagship of Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson (Captain Berry), under whom he served as Quartermaster’s Mate at the battle of the Nile, during which he would have been stationed at the wheel (Note that his rate was incorrectly copied down by the medal roll compiler who entered Master’s Mate in error, this being senior to his eventual rate of Gunner and therefore that which appears on his medal). In June 1799, Shirley joined Foudroyant, flagship of Admiral Lord Keith (Captain Beaver) and again served as Quartermaster’s Mate during the operations in Egypt in 1801. Shirley’s qualities must have been well respected for him to have been promoted, possibly as reward, to warrant officer status in August 1801, as Gunner, just ten years after joining the Navy. As one of the most trustworthy and reliable man in any ship, Shirley served as Gunner for the next 35 years. He was present on board the Cleopatra in February 1805 when she fell in with and was boarded and taken by the larger French frigate Ville de Milan. The loss to the British amounted to 22 killed and 36 wounded, the remainder becoming prisoner under a French prize crew. However, six days later, Cleopatra and Ville de Milan were sighted by Leander and neither vessel being in a fit state to fight, both surrendered to the British frigate without a shot being fired. George Shirley’s naval career seems to have come to an honourable end with his discharge to shore from Britannia in December 1836, at the age of about 65 years.