Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (Js. Spraggs. Commd. Btmn. H.M. Coast Gd. 33 Yrs.) engraved naming, minor edge bruising to last, generally very fine £500-£600

J. Deacon Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002.

1 of just 42 awards of the wide suspension L.S. & G.C. variety issued to the Coast Guard.


James Spraggs first joined the Coast Guard as a Boatman on 12 June 1850, having previous time as a Mariner with the Revenue Cruizer Service in H.M.S. Wellington between January 1841 and April 1843, and in H.M.S. Harriet between April 1843 and June 1850. He served a sea once again as an Able Seaman in H.M.S. Caesar from 8 March 1854 until 29 April 1856, when he returned to Coast Guard service. During his time in Caesar he qualified for the Baltic medal. He was promoted to Commissioned Boatman on 22 May 1860, and served until 30 April 1874, completing 33 years 106 days service, as reflected on the edge of his medal which had received on 8 April.