Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The rare M.G.S. awarded to Able Seaman Henry Banister, H.M.S. Illustrious, who served on shore attached to the Army at the capture of Java

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (Henry Banister.) nearly extremely fine and extremely rare £8,000-£10,000

Provenance: Needes Collection 1911; Dix Noonan Webb, March 2000; John Goddard Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, November 2015.

Henry Banister, Able Seaman, H.M.S. Illustrious, served on shore attached to the Army at the capture of Java. He served aboard Illustrious as an Able Seaman from 9 May 1811 until 15 April 1813, when he became a Caulker aboard the same vessel until discharged on 13 February 1814.

One of only 20 M.G.S. medals to the Royal Navy, 10 of which had the clasp for Java, the recipients having assisted in the landings and served on shore attached to the Army.

Royal Navy recipients of the M.G.S. with clasp for Java - Henry Banister, A.B., Illustrious; Thomas Birtles, L.M., Scipion (Known); John E. Cabburn, Master’s Mate, Cornelia (Known); Lawrence Dennehy, Master’s Mate, Illustrious; Robert W. G. Festing, Acting Captain, Illustrious; Charles Harris, Ord., Illustrious; Edward Lloyd, Lieutenant R.N., Staff of General Auchmuty; John Norris, Coxswain, Leda; Jeremiah Reynolds, Ord., Minden; William C. Simmons, Midshipman, Illustrious.

Sold with copied muster roll and record of service.