The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Pair: Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (W. Jefferies, Serjt. 5th Coy. R.M. 26 Yrs); Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., 1st issue with date ‘1848’ below the bust (Serjt. W. Jefferies, R.M. 31st Octr. 1857) engraved naming, good very fine and very rare (2) See colour plate VII

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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See colour plate VI.

Approximately 40 R.M. M.S.M.’s were issued with the dated obverse.

After earning his living as a labourer he enlisted in the Royal Marines on the 13th of June 1831 at the age of nearly 23 years - older than most recruits. Born near Stroud, Gloucestershire he was drafted after his attestation to serve in the Chatham Division.

Served two years aboard H.M. Store Ship BUFFALO (1833-1835) being promoted to Corporal in March 1835, his next time afloat was aboard H.M.S. DIDO where he served for nearly five years (1836-1841). Whilst in this ship he took part in the Syrian Campaign during 1840 - incorrectly shown on the original N.G.S. roll as a Private R.M. Unfortunately his N.G.S. medal with clasp "Syria" has become separated from his other medallic awards. His only other drafts to seagoing vessels were for less than three months aboard H.M.Ships CYCLOPS (1843) and CANOPUS (1846). Promoted to Sergeant in February 1848, and a month later to Pay Sergeant, he retained this rank until pensioned on 22 January 1858, shortly after receiving his Meritorious Service Medal and £10 annuity to commence from 31st October 1857.

Although he never caught the selector's eye for the award of a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal during his 26 years active service, he was one of the fortunate few to receive retrospective approval for his medal in January 1861 - but without a gratuity - three years after he had left the service. Regulations introduced in 1860 had allowed additional LS & GC awards without monetary attachments, which in certain circumstances were allowed to be given to pensioned personnel.