Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Nile (James Gilham.) medal removed from a circular mount, edge plugged at 6 o’clock, suspension re-affixed, light rubbing to naming, otherwise nearly very fine £800-£1,200

James Gilham is confirmed on the roll as Captain’s Coxswain aboard H.M.S. Theseus. Gilham joined Theseus in February 1794 under Captain Robert Calder but when Rear-Admiral Nelson raised his flag in her, he appointed Captain R. W. Miller as his flag captain. Gilham was aboard Theseus at Nelson’s attack on Santa Cruz when he was wounded and lost his right arm. He was present at Captain’s Coxswain at the battle of the Nile in 1798, and afterwards served aboard Cameleon as Midshipman, September 1799 to February 1800; and Tigre from 15 February 1800 as Able Seaman and then as Midshipman from 1 March 1800 until paid off on 23 September 1802.