Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Able Seaman J. O’Malley, Royal Navy

China 1842 (John O’Maley, H.M.S. Blenheim.) original suspension; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (J. O’Malley, A.B., H.M.S. Castor.) officially impressed naming, contact marks, good very fine, the latter extremely fine (2) £1000-1400

John O’Malley was born on 30 July 1823 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class serving in H.M.S. Blenheim on 29 February 1840. Advanced Ordinary Seaman on 30 July 1841, he transferred to H.M.S. Castor, with the rank of Able Seaman, on 6 May 1843, and served in her until 16 November 1847. He joined the Coast Guard on 29 March 1867.

Approximately 550 medals awarded to H.M.S. Blenheim.
Approximately 162 ‘1845 to 1846’ medals were awarded to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, of which 69 were awarded to H.M.S. Castor. Men from this ship are known to have taken part in the capture of Ruapekapeka Pa, ‘The Bat’s Nest’, 10-11 January 1846.