Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1842 (James Stoddart, Lieut., H.M.S. Cornwallis.) original straight bar suspension, toned, extremely fine £1,200-£1,400

James Stoddart entered the Navy on 27 April 1827, as a Midshipman on board the Wellesley 74, Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland, fitting for the Mediterranean. He afterwards joined the St. Vincent 120, Captain Hyde Parker, and served next, from February 1831 until October 1834, as Midshipman and Mate, in the Asia 84, flagship of Sir William Parker off Lisbon, from April 1835 until October 1837, as Mate and Acting-Lieutenant, in the Columbine 18, Captain Thomas Henderson, in the Mediterranean and on the coast of Africa, and from the latter date until December 1838, as Mate, in the Donegal 78, Captain John Drake, again off Lisbon. His official promotion to the rank of Lieutenant took place on 27 December 1838.

After service on board the Princess Charlotte 104, in the Mediterranean, and the Impregnable 104, fitting at Plymouth, he joined, 5 April 1841, the Cornwallis 72, fitting for the flag of Sir William Parker, Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies. For his exertions during the operations on the coast of China, where he served on shore at the capture of Woosung, assisted at the reduction of Shanghae, and displayed excellent judgement and good conduct in command of the boats in the attack upon Chin-Kiang-Foo, he was promoted to Commander on 23 December 1842. He commanded Growler from July 1849 until 25 September 1852.

Stoddart was promoted to Captain in January 1854, and to Retired Captain in July 1864. He received further promotion to Retired Rear-Admiral in September 1867, to Retired Vice-Admiral in March 1876, and, finally, to Retired Admiral in January 1880. Admiral James Stoddart died in London on 20 May 1892, aged 78 years.

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