Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Andw. Laing Chf Btmn. in Ch H.M. Coast Guard.) engraved naming, minor contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine £140-£160

Andrew Laing was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 27 September 1826, and first served in the Merchant Navy aboard the sailing ships Scotchman from March to September 1843 and the Dargs from January to June 1844. He first entered the Royal Navy aboard H.M.S. Raleigh on 6 February 1846, serving aboard this ship until 6 February 1850, when he joined H.M.S. Superb and served aboard until 19 June 1851. Laing appears to have left the Royal Navy from Superb on 19 June 1852 but re-entered, joining H.M.S. Alexander on 22 August 1852 as Able Seaman.

He joined H.M.S. Algiers on 30 May 1854, rated Coxswain of the Cutter, serving in both the Baltic and Crimean campaigns (Medal for each). He next joined H.M.S. Raven on 28 February 1856, as Quarter Master; H.M.S. Conflict on 24 May 1856, as Captain's Coxswain; H.M.S. Fisgard on 25 February 1857, as Captain's Coxswain; and transferred to H.M. Coast Guard at Pembroke as Boatman on 1 September 1857. He joined H.M. Coast Guard at Edinburgh on 1 March 1858, and was advanced to Commissioned Boatman on 4 December 1860. He was advanced to Chief Boatman in Charge at H.M.S. Favorite, East Coast of Scotland (Coast Guard) on 1 January 1873, and later served at H.M.S. Lord Warden (Coast Guard) in the Forth until pensioned on 30 September 1881.

Sold with some research.