(Willm. C. Turnbull, Boatswains Mate, H.M.S. St. Vincent 23 Years) fitted with ring for suspension, very fine

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

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Awarded 7 November 1845.
First entered the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. TIBER on 20 November 1815, aged 18 years, born Greenwich, with the name William J. Matthews. Advanced to Landsman on 1 July 1817 and paid off in October 1818. He rejoined the service, this time as William C. Turnbull, three years later as an A.B. aboard H.M.S. VIGO, and gained Petty Officer status as Captain of the Fore Top aboard H.M.S. NAIAD in December 1824. Whilst aboard H.M.S. GANNET he was promoted to Acting Boatswain R.N., but after a year was reverted to Bosun's Mate in January 1833, being pensioned and discharged to shore in November 1845. He was awarded the N.G.S. medal, for Navarino, whilst serving as Captain of the Fore Top aboard H.M.S. TALBOT, but this does not appear to have survived.