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

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Lieut. E. Griffin, R.N.R.) good very fine

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

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Edward Griffin was born in Liverpool in 1846, and served as Junior Officer aboard the Transport S.S. KINGSTON during the Abyssinian War 1868-69. He was certified as a First Mate on 26 May 1870, sailing aboard PROPONTIS (1870-72) and WALMER CASTLE (1874). He gained his Sub Lieutenant’s R.N.R. Commission No.00145 on 31 May 1875, and an Ordinary Master Certificate No.92,751. He commanded the Transport S.S. ANGLIAN from 1883, and conveyed troops to Egypt in 1884, having been promoted to Lieutenant R.N.R. with seniority dating from 31 December 1883. He subsequently commanded the Transport S.S. ARAB in 1885, the Head Quarter's Ship of Captain Fellowes, C.B., R.N., who was in charge of Naval Transport at Suakin. For special services ashore and afloat at Suakin in 1885, as a Lieutenant R.N.R., Griffin was awarded the Egypt medal with clasp Suakin 1885, and the Khedive's Star. At the termination of the war in the Soudan the Australian Contingent were embarked in ARAB and conveyed back to Sydney. During a celebratory banquet held at the Town Hall, Sydney, he was presented with a silver tea and coffee service, the salver of which bore the inscription: ‘Presented to Lieutenant E. J. Griffin R.N.R., Commander H.M. Transport ARAB by the Government of New South Wales, for public services rendered to the New South Wales Contingent, 7th July 1885’. During the period 1884 to 1890 he was authorised to fly the Blue Ensign when Master of SPARTAN, ANGLIAN, ARAB and MOOR. He was elected as a Younger Brother Trinity House during February 1887, and retired as Commander R.N.R. on 9 July 1896.