Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, 2 May Boat Service 1813 (Chas. Fisher.) nearly very fine £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Collection

Sotheby, July 1965; Glendining’s, June 1967; Sotheby, January 1972 and January 1973; Christie’s, July 1985; Peter Dale Collection, July 2000.

Charles Fisher is a unique name on the rolls and is confirmed as a Private Royal Marines in the boats of Repulse.

48 clasps issued for this boat service action on 2 May 1813, which resulted in the destruction of batteries and the capture of six merchant vessels at Morgiou, near Toulon.

‘On the 2nd of May, the Repulse, Captain Robert H. Moubray, having joined, despatched 100 marines under Captain Michael Ennis, along with the marines of the other ships, to destroy some newly-erected works near Morgion. The boats of the squadron were still under Lieutenant Shaw, and covered by the guns of the Redwing. The marines drove a body of French troops to the heights, and kept them in check while six laden vessels were secured, and the batteries, gun-carriages and a 13-inch mortar destroyed. Lieutenant Shaw and three men were wounded, and two men killed. Sir John Sinclair was promoted in June following, and Lieutenant Shaw in August; and the naval medal has been granted for the service.’ (Battles of the British Navy by Joseph Allen refers).