The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Ashantee 1873-74, clasp, Coomassi (Tom Everyday, H.M.S. Bittern) later impressed naming, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine but unique to the ship and very rare to an African Krooman

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Tom Everyday was born in Kroo Country, Africa. First entered on 30 December 1865 aboard H.M.S. INVESTIGATOR as a Krooman until May 1867. Joined H.M.S. BITTERN 21 August 1871, earning his Coomassie clasp for duties ashore during the Ashantee Campaign. Discharged from BITTERN March 1874, then served aboard H.M.Ships SPITEFUL and FLORA from which vessel he was invalided back to Sierra Leone from Bombay by a Mail Steamer in August 1875. He joined H.M.S . ACTIVE as Krooman Jack Everyday on 30 July 1877 and earned the clasp ‘1877-8-9’ for duties ashore in the Naval Brigade from 17 December 1877 to 7 March 1878, but in September 1879 he was rated as a Domestic 2nd Class (Gun Room Steward). Drafted to H.M.S. ASIA as a Krooman in October 1879, changing his branch in March 1880 when he became a Stoker 2nd Class upon joining H.M.S. ORONTES. Remained in the Engineering Branch until pensioned nineteen years later having served aboard H.M. Ships URGENT, GRIFFON (1881-84), ASIA (1884-86), CANADA (1886-89), ANSON (1890-93) and various other vessels until pensioned on 16 June 1899. Although he had received three Good Conduct Badges without deprivation by December 1888, he was never recommended for a LS & GC medal after serving more than 33 years.