The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (H. Vanstone, Pte. R.M.) edge bruise, pitting and contact marks but better than good fine

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

View
Collection

10 medals issued with these three clasps, all to the Royal Marines.

Henry Vanstone was born on 15 April 1862 in the village of Torre Moorehand, near Torquay, Devon. Prior to joining the Royal Marines on 15 February 1881 he was employed as a labourer and following basic training at the Walmer Depot he joined the Plymouth Division as a Private on the 30 September 1881. He embarked on his first ship H.M.S. NORTHUMBERLAND on 27 July 1882 for passage to Egypt where he was disembarked at Alexandria on 20 October 1882 for service with Royal Marine Battalion. He took part in the various skirmishes leading up to the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir, and continued to serve ashore until 21 October 1882 when he returned to the Plymouth Division. He next embarked on HIMALAYA on 7 December 1882 and served in this ship until 7 June 1884 when he returned to the Plymouth Division. On 17 September 1884 he was again landed in Egypt for service with the Royal Marine Camel Corps, with whom he fought at the battle of Abu Klea. He returned to the Plymouth Division on 21 July 1885, and served until invalided ashore after 5 years service on 9 February 1886, suffering from a heart disease. During his short service his character was frequently assessed as ‘fair’ or ‘indifferent’ and he was also sentenced on three separate occasions to cells.