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

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Chin Hills 1892-93, Kachin Hills 1892-93 (Engr. D. J. Taylor, R.I.M.S. Pagan) the clasps soldered together and sold with companion miniature medal, extremely fine and very rare (2)

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

View
Collection

David Taylor was born in Greenock, Scotland, on 22 May 1864, and served an Apprenticeship with Messrs Rankin & Blackmore Eagle Foundry, Greenock. He served in the Merchant Service as an Engineer prior to joining the Indian Marine as an Assistant Engineer on 2 November 1886. In this rank he served aboard the following ships: DALHOUSIE (November 1886), SEMIRAMIS (January 1887), TENASSERIM (January 1887), LAWRENCE (October 1887), and CLIVE (September 1890). He was promoted to Engineer on 24 October 1891 and appointed to PAGAN. In this vessel he was engaged in transporting troops and stores in connection with the punitive military operations into the Chin Hills during 1892-93, and also the military expeditions into the Kachin Hills, during the same period. For his services he was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasps ‘Kachin Hills 1892-93’ and ‘Chin Hills 1892-93’.

On leaving PAGAN he was promoted to Engineer in Charge, and was posted to the Calcutta Yard Craft (March 1893). As an Engineer he next joined CANNING (September 1893), and was transferred immediately to WARREN HASTINGS (September 1893) and served next aboard DALHOUSIE (March 1895). He was appointed officiating foreman of the factory at Karachi Dockyard (August 1895) and during this period was on deputation to Negapatam to Superintend the erection of a Steam Dredger. In December 1895 he was again on deputation to Dowlaishweram to Superintend the re-erection of the Stern Wheeler NELL constructed for the Narsapur Ferry in December 1897. He was again on deputation in December 1897 to Bezwada to Superintend the re-erection of two Stern Wheelers constructed at the Kiddapore Dockyard to ply on the Kistna river above and below the Anicut.

Following his return from one year's leave he was appointed Foreman of the Factory at Karachi Dockyard (June 1899) and served next afloat aboard CLIVE (March 1901). He returned to Karachi Dockyard (March 1901) prior to joining SLADEN (April 1901) as Engineer in Charge, and transferred in the same rank to LAWRENCE (June 1901). He was next appointed to the Calcutta Dockyard, followed by service at the Bombay Dockyard. As Engineer in Charge he was appointed to INVESTIGATOR (November 1904), DALHOUSIE (February 1905), MINTO (March 1905) and DALHOUSIE (May 1906). He was promoted to Chief Engineer on 28 October 1907 on rejoining DALHOUSIE, and subsequently served in this rank aboard HARDINGE (February 1909). He was appointed Inspector of Machinery for the Government of India and worked in this capacity until he retired on 17 November 1911, having served for nearly 25 years.