The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Three: China 1842 (William Lucas, Fifer, Royal Marines) fitted with replacement bar suspension; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (W. Lucas, Sergt. 17th Coy. R.M. 27 Yrs.); Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (Wm. Lucas, Sergt. R.M.L.I.) impressed naming, edge bruising and light contact marks to the first, otherwise good very fine and rare (3)

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

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Born in Chatham he was enlisted on 3 May 1836 as a Drummer Boy (Fifer) when aged 12 years and one month. Two years later he was drafted to H.M.S. COLUMBINE on the 10th of June 1838 earning the first China War medal - before his fifteenth birthday - for his vessels participation in 8 of the 13 eligible actions between January 1841 and July 1842. Promoted to Private in July 1884, to Corporal in April 1846 and to Sergeant during June 1847. He earned his "Colours" on 26th February 1854 and was ultimately made Hospital Sergeant in June 1861. Pensioned to shore on 18 December 1863 with 21 years servitude. Annuity commenced 1885.

Under similar circumstances to those afforded to Sergeant William Jefferies M.S.M., R.M., already mentioned, William Lucas did not receive his LS & GC medal until January 1864 - after his final discharge as a pensioner. The inscription of 27 years service on the medal's edge is noteworthy, since it is a rare example of a mistake uncommonly made by the Royal Marine Office. Only adult service over the age of eighteen years was officially allowed to count towards a man's pension or LS & GC Medal, but here we see his entire servitude, since the age of twelve years, recorded in his personal details on the edge of his award. His service papers record in red ink the neccessary reduction of 5 years and 335 days from his total time served, a fact that was ignored when his details were supplied to the engraver.