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

Six: Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. G. Wicks, Stkr. 2 Cl., H.M.S. “Sultan”); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (W. Wicks, Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Terrible); China 1900, 1 clasp, Taku Forts (W. J. Wicks, Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Fame); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. G. Wicks, Ch. Stoker, H.M.S. Howe) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star 1882; Marine Society Reward of Merit, silver (William George Wicks 16 May 1907) some pitting but generally very fine and better (6)

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

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William Wicks was born in Hampstead, Middlesex, on 12 August 1863. He entered the service as a Stoker 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. INDUS on 20 January 1882, and was drafted to SULTAN on 2 May 1882 in which ship he served during the opening stages of the Egyptian Campaign and was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. He was advanced to Stoker in October 1882 prior to being paid off in November 1883. He subsequently served aboard BACCHANTE (1886-88), KINGFISHER (1888-90) joining as a Leading Stoker, PEMBROKE (1891-93) as an Acting Chief Stoker, and HOWE (1893-96) as a Chief Stoker from 27 May 1893 and earning his L.S. & G.C. medal whilst aboard on 9 May 1894. His service records show him as serving aboard TERRIBLE from September 1899 until May 1900, when he was transferred to BARFLEUR until December 1900, and loaned to FAME whilst on BARFLEUR's books. He landed in China for service with the Naval Brigades and was present at the capture of the Taku Forts. He completed his time in Chinese waters aboard TAMAR until 9 January 1902 and was pensioned from PEMBROKE on 21 May 1902.

The destroyers FAME and WHITING together carried out an audacious commando style attack when they captured four Chinese destroyers moored off the dockyard at Taku.