Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Captain A. J. W. Musgrave, Royal Navy, who was specially mentioned and p[romoted for his services in New Zealand as one of the assaulting party from H.M.S. Esk at the Gate Pah in April 1864

China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857 (Archer John William Musgrave) contemporary engraved naming; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (Lieut. A. J. W. Musgrave, H.M.S. Esk) officially impressed naming, contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £2,800-£3,400

Archer John William Musgrave was born in June 1842, and entered the Navy as a Naval Cadet in October 1855. He served during the operations in the Canton river, at the destruction of the Fatshan flotilla of war junks, 1 June 1857, and capture of Canton in December 1857 (China Medal, Fatshan and Canton clasps). He became Sub-Lieutenant in November 1862, and as Acting Lieutenant of Esk, served in the assaulting party on the Maori position at Pukehinahina (commonly known as the Gate Pah) on 29 April 1864. For his services in New Zealand, and especially in the affair of the Gate Pah, he was specially mentioned (London Gazette 15 July 1864), promoted to Lieutenant (London Gazette 29 April 1864), and received the New Zealand War Medal. He was Commander of Cockatrice up the Danube river during the Russo-Turkish war, and received the approval of the Foreign Office for his services and reports. He was promoted to Captain on 31 October 1879.