New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (J. Crew, Commr. Cook, H.M.S. Racehorse) officially impressed naming, good very fine £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866.

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Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, DNW October 1996.

Joseph Crew's medal was issued on 17 May 1872. 36 medals (3 to R.N. officers, 24 to R.N. ratings, and 9 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were awarded to H.M.S. Racehorse, of which 23 are known including one with an undated reverse, one with the reverse dated 1845-1846, and the rest with reverses dated 1845-1847. This medal is therefore unique to H.M.S. Racehorse with these dates.

His first entry into the service occurred when he joined Racehorse during her visit to Sydney on 23 October 1845. He was taken on her books 'in lieu of a Royal Marine..' to act as the Commander's Cook, aged 23 years, born at St. Mary's, Cheshire. At his own request he was discharged from Racehorse and out of the R.N. only a short time later, on 18 May 1846, when his vessel was moored in Auckland Harbour. His New Zealand medal was issued somewhat belatedly, in May 1872, with the incorrect embossed dates of '1845 to 1846' on its Reverse.