Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., Anchor obverse (Henry Mitchell, Boatswains Mate H.M.S. America 22 Years) pierced with small ring and secondary larger ring for suspension, edge dig to reverse rim at 9 o’clock, otherwise nearly very fine £1,200-£1,600

Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

L.S. & G.C. awarded 17 October 1847, one of the last 20 ‘anchor’ awards before the introduction of the wide suspension type in December 1847.

Henry Mitchell joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Valorous on 21 March 1821, aged 16 years, born Plymouth. On 6 May 1828 he ‘Ran” (deserted) as an A.B. from H.M.S. Rinaldo, a stigma which was no longer to affect his career prospects when his ‘R’ (‘Run’ or ‘Ran’) was officially removed from his service record on 14 October 1846. He achieved Petty Officer status as a Boatswain’s Mate in December 1831 aboard H.M.S. Revenge. No notation was made on his records of ‘M & G’ for his awards in October 1847 while aboard H.M.S. America. He returned to serve aboard H.M.S. Nile as a Bosun’s Mate for two years commencing February 1854, and yet again for three years as a Ship’s Cook aboard H.M.S. Caesar, before being finally discharged in January 1862, when he was once more recommended for a second (?) ‘Medal & Gratuity’ after serving a total of 28 years.