Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Fleet Surgeon J. N. Stone, Royal Navy

Abyssinia 1867-68 (J. N. Stone, Asst. Surgn. H.M.S. Argus); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (J. N. Stone, Staff Surgn. R.N. H.M.S. “Ruby.”); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, mounted on card for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400

Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

John Neesom Stone was born on 14 December 1843. He first entered the Royal Navy as an Assistant Surgeon on 22 July 1865, aboard H.M.S. Victory, and was soon appointed to H.M.S. Argus (1865-68) where he earned the Abyssinian campaign medal. During the troubles in China in 1867, as Assistant Surgeon aboard Argus, he was landed with the Naval Brigade which, in co-operation with the French, assisted 700 Imperial troops at the defence of the City of Chefoo against a rebel force of 20,000.

His subsequent ships were Excellent (1868-70), Volage (1870-72), and H.M. Store Ship Supply (1873-76). For unaccountable reasons, in early 1874 he received promotion to Surgeon but with his original seniority date as an Assistant Surgeon, namely 22 July 1865. Whilst serving aboard Supply he participated in a punitive Expedition up the River Congo during August and September 1875. Earlier that year the trading schooner Geraldine was stranded whilst going up the Congo River, its crew attacked and her cargo looted leaving four of her people dead defending their vessel. Commodore Sir William N. W. Hewett, K.C.B., V.C., organised an expedition, utilising the men and boats from H.M. Ships Active, Encounter, Spiteful, Merlin, Foam, Ariel and Supply. Armed parties consisting of one hundred seamen and one hundred marines were landed up the River Congo from steam launches, pinnaces and cutters as well as these type of craft pulled by their crews. Arduous conditions ensued from 31 August until 15 September during the endeavours of successfully finding some of the homes of the pirates. With many of the pirates severely punished, Commodore Hewett concluded proceedings by having a “palaver” with eight Kings further up the River, who assured him of their agreement to the punitive scale of operations since they gave no sympathy to the pirates. Despatches mentioned: ‘Doctor J. N. Stone. Surgeon of Supply was the Senior Medical Officer attached to the landing force. He was at all times most attentive and kept his staff and stores together, ready for any emergency. Brought forward for Your Lordships favourable notice.’

Stone was promoted to Staff Surgeon on 1 November 1875, whilst loaned to Flora (July to December 1875), for services on the expedition against pirates on the River Congo. Latterly he served aboard H.M. Ships Boscawen (1877-80), Himalaya (1880-82), Ruby (1882-85) and received promotion to Fleet Surgeon on 16 July 1884, Raleigh (1885-88), Plymouth Hospital (1888-92), and Walmer Depot (1892-95) where he died on 15 September 1895.