China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857 (Lieut. R. J. Stotherd, H.M.S. Tribune), officially impressed naming, suspension claw refixed, very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Kieran Collection.

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Ex Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris collection, 16 October 1996 (Lot 148).

Robert John Stotherd was born in July 1834 and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in December 1847. Advanced to Midshipman in June 1851 and to Lieutenant in January 1856, he witnessed active service in the Second China War, Lean’s Navy List stating:

‘Lieutenant of Tribune; engaged at the destruction of Chinese war boats at Tuoung Konan on 25 May 1857 (China Medal); engaged at Sawshee Creek, in command of Tribune’s rocket boat; mentioned in despatches, May 1857; present at the destruction of Fatshan flotilla of war junks, 1 June 1857 (Canton and Fatshan clasps).’

Stotherd’s “mention” was announced in the London Gazette on 1 August 1857, although he does not appear to have signed for his Medal until July 1862, which late date would account for the officially impressed style of naming on the above described award. Enjoying several more seagoing appointments in the interim, he was placed on the Retired List as a Commander in October 1873 and was awarded a Greenwich Hospital Pension of £50 per annum in 1877. The Commander died in January 1898; another Medal to Stotherd with engraved naming is known to exist.