Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 3 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Suakin 1884, Tamaai (W. Agus, 2nd Cap. Qr. Dk. H.M.S. “Hecla”) light pitting, otherwise very fine

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

View
Collection

Wiliam Agus was born in St Giles, Norwich, on 3 January 1858. First entered as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. FISGARD on 3 December 1873, passing to IMPLACABLE (1873-75) where he was made a Boy 1st Class in December 1874, followed by BLACK PRINCE (1875-76) where he was advanced to Ord in January 1876. Subsequently served H.M. Ships SEALARK (1875-77) achieving prime rate status as an Able Seaman in February 1877, AGINCOURT (1877-82) becoming a Leading Seaman in July 1880. In May 1882 he was drafted, as a Petty Officer 2nd Class, to H.M.S. HECLA (1882-85) to earn his three clasps for the Egypt Campaign. He was disrated to Leading Seaman in December 1883, but regained Petty Officer status in August 1885. On joining DEFIANCE (1885-87) he was made Captain's Coxswain, and subsequently served aboard CURLEW (1888-89), ROYALIST (1889-93), and whilst with VIVID 1 (1893-97) he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 26 October 1893 which was confirmed a year later. His last vessel was H.M.S. KANAKATTA (1897-99), and he was pensioned on 15 January 1901 but re-entered as an A.B.(Pensioner) a month later to serve only six months before being finally discharged to shore after twenty seven years in uniform.