Lot Archive

Lot

№ 1015

.

5 December 2008

Hammer Price:
£220

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (J. Damerell, Carps. Crew, H.M.S. Penelope) nearly extremely fine £130-150

John Damerell was born in Dartmouth, Devonshire in October 1853 and entered the Royal Navy as Carpenter’s Crew in October 1878. Similarly employed at the time of his service in H.M.S. Penelope (June 1882 to August 1884), he was serving aboard the corvette Rover as a Caulker’s Mate at the time of his death from pleuro-pneumonia on 2 November 1885. Of this event the ship’s log states:

‘2 November 1885, 8.45 p.m.: Departed this life, John Damerell, Caulker’s Mate, aged 32. Expended firing 3 volleys over the mortal remains of the late John Damerell, when committed to the deep, blank cartridges M.H. Rifle, 60, for funeral purposes.’

Sold with an extensive file of research, including copied service records, birth & death certificates, and entries from the ship’s log of the Rover.