Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Basque Roads 1809, St. Sebastian (David Davis.) edge bruising and polished, otherwise toned, nearly very fine £1,600-£2,000

Dix Noonan Webb, May 2018, when offered by the family by direct descent.

David Davis is confirmed as an Able Seaman in H.M.S. Lyra for both actions. One other man of this name appears on the Admiralty Claimants’ List, as an Ordinary Seaman in H.M.S. Mars at Trafalgar.

David Davis was born around 1785 and joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Queen on 11 December 1803. Transferred to the 10-gun Cherokee-class brig-sloop Lyra as Ordinary Seaman on 13 October 1808, he was raised Able Seaman on 1 April 1810 and is confirmed as aboard this ship for both actions. At Basque Roads the sloops Lyra and Redpole was equipped as light ships to guide the fireships into the channel. Released from service on 12 August 1815, Davis spent his final years as a Naval Pensioner at the Royal Naval Hospital and died at Greenwich Hospital on 1 May 1856.

Sold with copied service record and other research.