Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Able Seaman J. Melvin, Royal Navy and H.M. Coast Guard

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Perak (J. Melvin. A.B. H.M.S. “Charybdis.”); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (John Martin, Commd. Btm. H.M. Coastguard.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £400-£500

John Melvin was born at Lawrencekirk, Kincardine, Scotland, on 27 March 1849, and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class aboard H.M.S. Trafalgar in February 1867. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in March 1868, to Able Seaman in June 1871, and to Leading Seaman in March 1876. He served aboard Charybdis from September 1873 to May 1877, including during the Perak campaign, for which he subsequently received the medal and clasp whilst serving aboard the Lord Warden in July 1882. By this time he had joined the Coast Guard as a Boatman in December 1878, but was still on the books of Lord Warden where he remained until September 1885. He was promoted to Commissioned Boatman in April 1882, to Chief Boatman in November 1888, to Chief Boatman in Charge, and finally to Chief Officer in May 1894. He was pensioned after 37 years’ service in the Royal Navy and Coastguard in March 1904.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.