Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant John Strettell, Royal Navy

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Navarino (John Strettell, Midshipman.); China 1842 (J. Strettell, Actg. Lieut. H.M.S. Herald.) good very fine (2) £3,800-£4,600

John Strettell entered the Royal Navy as a First-class Volunteer on 18 August 1824, on board H.M.S. Prince Regent. The following September he joined the Cambrian and in this ship he fought as a Midshipman at the battle of Navarino. Unfortunately his ship was wrecked on 3 January 1828, during an attack made upon pirates at Carabusa.

Midshipman Strettell next served in H.M.S. Revenge in the Mediterranean, later transferring to the Rattlesnake. He passed his examination on 14 February 1831 and was next employed as Mate on board the President from 21 March 1834 until 26 July the same year, and then the Vernon on the coast of North America from 29 August 1834 until 28 March 1837. His ship then moved to the Mediterranean station, and from 7 July 1837 until 2 January 1841 he served in the Wellesley under Captain Thomas Maitland.

While serving in the Wellesley, Strettell assisted in 1838 in quelling an insurrection on the coast of Malabar and participated in 1839 in various operations on the coast of Sinde and in the Persian Gulf. He was also present at the commencement of the war in China and saw action during the capture of the island of Chusan in July 1840. He was nominated acting Lieutenant of the Herald on 3 January 1841, and contributed to the destruction of the Bogue Forts on 26 February. He landed also, the next day, at the storming of the enemy's works close to Whampoa Reach, where 54 pieces of cannon were taken (London Gazette 1841, pg 1501). He also served in the boats on 13 March at the capture of several rafts and of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton and took a similar part in the capture of that city.

He was confirmed a Lieutenant on 8 June 1841 and was appointed to the Illustrious, flag ship of Sir Charles Adam in the North America and West Indies station. He transferred to the Tweed on 31 December 1842, followed by service in H.M.S. Prometheus, a wood paddle sloop, as 1st Lieutenant on the coast of Africa. He was then appointed 1st Lieutenant on board the Bulldog, another wood paddle sloop, on 29 December 1846, under Captain George Evan Davis and was employed on particular service.

Lieutenant Strettell was sent to hospital on 14 April 1847, but was later discharged and was transferred to the Coast Guard at Walton, Colchester, as Chief Officer on 18 December 1851. He remained with the Coast Guard until he was discharged at Polkerris on 31 December 1855, due to ill health. John Strettell died on 15 February 1857.

Sold with comprehensive research.