South Africa 1877-79, clasp, 1879 (J. Wheadon, A.B. H.M.S. “Shah”) extremely fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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396 clasps to the ship.
James Wheadon was born in Yeovil, Somerset on 22 May 1850. He first entered as a Boy 2nd Class aboard PRINCESS CHARLOTTE on 3 November 1866, and drafted next to RODNEY (1868-69) where he was made an Ord in July 1868. Subsequently drafted to OCEAN (1869-70) where he was advanced to Able Seaman in July 1870, and then drafted to BELLEROPHON (1871-73), and to TRIUMPH (1873-75) where he was made a Leading Seaman in October 1874. His last vessel was H.M.S. SHAH which he joined in July 1876, and was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class immediately, receiving his LS & GC award in August 1878, but was disrated to A.B. in December 1878. He was involved in the SHAH’s encounter with the Peruvian Turret Ship HUASCAR, being a member of the Torpedo Expedition party sent to sink the HUASCAR on 31 May 1877. He died from dysentry whilst ashore in Zululand on 4 June 1879.