Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Mr N. Prowse, Master of the Oxenholme, whose extraordinary life varied from rescuing stricken sailors, meeting Prince Albert and Isambard Brunel, declaring bankruptcy on at least two occasions, and being arrested by the French authorities in Dunkirk under the suspicion of being a Prussian Spy!

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Mr. N. Prowse. “Oxenholme.”) edge bruise; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, both with contemporary silver top-riband buckles, and housed in a custom made Elkington & Co., Liverpool leather case, nearly extremely fine (2) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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Collection

Spink 1991.

Only Masters of Transports received the 1882 medal, making them unique to each of the 105 vessels employed.

Nicholas Prowse was the second son of Captain N. Prowse, and was born in Torquay, Devon in June 1825. During his lifetime, Prowse was involved in a number of adventures which featured frequently in the newspapers of Belfast, Bolton, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Exeter, Jersey, Liverpool, Sheffield, Swindon and Torquay between 1843-1884. In 1843 he was part of a boat’s crew in Torquay which saved a number of French seaman, as a result of which they were awarded medals by King Louis Philippe I. In 1857, Prowse was appointed chief officer of the Great Eastern steamship - designed by Isambard Brunel. The latter was present with Prowse when she was launched the following year.

Prowse was living in Deptford in October 1858, when he was declared bankrupt and placed in debtors prison for London and Middlesex. Remarkably he maintained his position with the Great Eastern, and in September 1859 was present aboard her when an explosion blew open the furnace doors. Prowse was recorded as ‘foremost in rendering assistance to rescue all who were injured below.’ A month later he found himself putting down a mutiny from 30 of the ships’ crew, who had been wilfully disobeying orders.

On 19 October 1859, Prince Albert visited the ship and was ‘received on board by Captain Harrison and Mr Prowse, the chief officer.’ Prowse went on to command a number of merchant ships, one of which being the Sheldrake which was involved in a collision with a schooner in July 1870. Three months later, whilst in company with a photographic artist from Liverpool, he was arrested by the French authorities in Dunkirk on the suspicious of both men being Prussian spies.

Prowse was declared bankrupt for a second time in 1871, before finding himself as master of the Oxenholme. On 8 August 1882:

‘The Pontoon Troop, Telegraph Troop, and Field Park, numbering 300 Royal Engineers, with an immense number of boats, and a large quantity of telegraph stores and other war material, were embarking yesterday at South West India Docks on board the Oxenholme.’

Prowse died, 22 May 1884:

‘Captain Nicholas Prowse, a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, died yesterday at his residence in Carisbrooke Road, Walton, at the age of 59. He was well known as the commander of steamships belonging to leading Liverpool companies, and obtained considerable prominence in connection with his successful tow of the disabled Allen liner Sardinian while he was in charge of the Dominion steamer Texas. Mrs Prowse is the artist who painted the portrait of Mr Edward Whitely, M.P., which now hangs in the Liverpool Home for Aged Mariners.’ (Liverpool Mercury, 23 May 1884 refers)

Prowse’s wife also painted a portrait of him, an image of which is included in the lot with other copied research.