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

China 1900, no clasp (Commr. H. J. Davison, R.N., H.M.S. Humber) good very fine

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

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Henry Davison was born in Simla, India, on 15 June 1853, and joined the service as a Cadet aboard the Training Ship BRITANNIA on 18 September 1867. During training he spent short periods aboard VICTORY, BRISTOL and ROYAL ADELAIDE. He joined H.M.S. MINOTAUR (December 1868) and was promoted to Midshipman on 19 June 1869. He served next aboard BLANCHE (February 1871) and was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 19 March 1874, and next joined EXCELLENT (November 1875), DUKE OF WELLINGTON (February 1877), SEA FLOWER (May 1877), FLYING FISH (January 1878), and HIBERNIA (May 1878). He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 February 1879 on joining CAMBRIDGE and served in this rank aboard VERNON (May 1879), NEWCASTLE (July 1879), HERCULES (May 1880), WARRIOR (May 1881) and HECLA (May 1882).

Whilst serving in HECLA he was present at the bombardment of Alexandria, 11th July 1882, received the Egypt War Medal with clasp and the Khedive's 1882 Star, was mentioned in Despatches for services at Mahala Junction 5 August 1882, and awarded the 4th Class Order of Medjidie. He was praised by Admiral Seymour for his work with the Naval Armoured Trains and also recommended by Vice Admiral Dowell.

He was next appointed to RALEIGH (February 1885), NORTHUMBERLAND (July 1888), AJAX (October 1888), EUPHRATES (September 1890), and COLOSSUS (November 1893). Whilst in the latter vessel he received their Lordship's approbation for the able and seamanlike manner in which he brought the Spanish ship TORDERA alongside COLOSSUS and extinguished the fire on board her. Promoted to Commander on 16 September 1895 and appointed to Royal Naval College at Greenwich (December 1895), and MERSEY (April 1896). During his service in MERSEY he received in February 1892 their Lordship's approbation for the zeal and energy shown by him on occasion of a fire on board the SS BLUE JACKET, and was allowed to receive a present of plate for this service.

He was next appointed to the Command of HUMBER in July 1898 and served in this vessel on patrol in Chinese waters during 1900. Whilst Commanding HUMBER he received the thanks of the Norwegian Government for the assistance rendered to the crew of the Norwegian Steamer SKRAMSTAD on 20 November 1901. He next joined DUKE OF WELLINGTON (September 1902) prior to retiring on 20 October 1902 with the rank of Captain. He died on 31 January 1914 from heart failure following bronchial pneumonia.