The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

(F. Raven, Chf. Boatn. in Chge. H.M. Coast Guard 37 Yrs.) in a group of four with Baltic 1854-55; Crimea 1854-55, 1 clasp, Sebastopol; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, these three all unnamed as issued, together with white metal ‘Reward for Merit, Royal Naval School, Greenwich’, unnamed with ring and bar suspension, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine and better, the L.S. & G.C. rare with dated edge (5)

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

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Frederick Raven was born in Hornsey, Kent, and joined the service as an Ordinary Seaman aboard DAPHNE on 10 June 1842. He served as an A.B. aboard the PRINCE REGENT in the Baltic, and aboard the ROYAL ALBERT in the Crimea. There are only twenty four known examples of impressed, narrow suspension medals with the recipients years of service on the edge.

Frederick Raven was born in Hornsey, Kent on 25 November 1821. Entered the service as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. DAPHNE on 10 June 1842, but after more than four years aboard her decided to join the Coast Guard Service as a Boatman in March 1847. Recalled for service in the Fleet for the Russian War - he was drafted to H.M.S. PRINCE REGENT in March 1854 as an A.B. to see action in Baltic waters, and subsequently transferred to H.M.S. ROYAL ALBERT during November 1854 for duty in the Crimean theatre of war.

He rejoined the Coast Guard on 9 August 1856 for more than twenty years further service, being advanced to Commissioned Boatman in July 1862, to Chief Boatman in August 1865 and Chief Boatman in Charge in August 1869. Finally pensioned on the same day - 16 October 1877 - as receiving his long service rewards. His 37 years reckonable service included one year and 302 days of bonus ‘Seaman Gunner’ time for the period 1860-69, a most unusual duty in the Coast Guard Service in which to earn additionally one fifth of time actually served which was allowed to count towards his pension, medal and gratuity.