Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (R. S. Smyth, Ships Corpl. H.M.S. Rupert) engraved naming, very fine £120-£160

Robert Samuel Smyth was born in East Stonehouse, Plymouth, in 1840, and joined the Corps of Royal Marines (Plymouth Division) as Drummer on 29 December 1854. Posted to the 75th Company, he was raised Corporal on 17 July 1861 and Sergeant on 4 September 1862, serving overseas in Royal Adelaide, Rupert, Hibernia and Duke of Wellington. These included postings to Brunswick from 9 January 1856 to 2 March 1860, Japan from 19 December 1863 to 29 January 1866 and Ireland from 8 March 1867 to 9 June 1867. Appointed Seaman’s Schoolmaster in December 1877, Symth was shore pensioned on 23 March 1879.

Sold with copied service record and extensive research relating to the Royal Marines at Yokohama.