Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (T. M. Kelsall mate of Trafalgar at Sevastopol 17 Octr. 1854) contemporary engraved naming, with silver brooch bar, good very fine £300-350

Theophilus Moultrie Kelsall was born on 22 June 1831 in Fareham, Hampshire, the son of John Theophilus and Elizabeth Anne Kelsall. He served as a Mate on the Trafalgar, December 1852-April 1855, during which time he saw service in the Crimea War at the bombardment of the forts of Sebastopol. He was promoted to Lieutenant in October 1855 and served on the Arachne, October-November 1855; Horatio, January-May 1856; Cressy, May 1856-May 1857; Cumberland, September 1858-August 1859; Weser, October 1859-January 1860; Alecto, January 1860-June 1862; and Phoebe, September 1862-June 1866. Attaining the rank of Commander, he served with H.M. Coastguard, June 1870-October 1873 after which he retired. Promoted to Captain in 1881, he died at Youngaton, Westward Ho!, Devon on 8 May 1910. He was buried with other family members at Northam Churchyard, Westward Ho!

H.M.S. Trafalgar was a 1st Class 3-decker, launched in 1841.

With an original letter from Kelsall to his ‘Dearest Ellen’, writing of his accident aboard ship when his head was struck by a piece of equipment, his subsequent recovery, and a further accident which befell a seaman en route to Malta, 1852.

With copied service papers, family research and ship details.