The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (J. Burns, Py. Offr. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Tamar. 73-74) nearly extremely fine

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

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John Burns was born in Antony, Cornwall, on 1 April 1837, and first entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. ST GEORGE on 22 February 1851. He was subsequently drafted to H.M.S. HOGUE (1852-56) where he served in the Baltic and achieved status as an Ord in September 1854. He then served aboard H.M.S. CONQUEROR (1856-62) where he received advancement to A.B. in June 1859, to Leading Seaman in October 1861 and to Petty Officer status, as 2nd Captain of Main Top, in February 1862. He joined H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE as 2nd Captain of Main Top on 21 February 1864 and discharged to shore, his C.S. engagement having expired on 6 July 1865. He re-entered the service on a C.S. agreement on 22 July 1865, to serve as Captain of Main Top aboard IMPREGNABLE until August 1869. Drafted on 10 August 1869 to H.M.S. TAMAR(1869-75), arriving as a Quarter Master, and later made Captain of Hold. He was awarded his LS & GC medal and gratuity on 26 April 1875 and pensioned to shore on 21 May 1875 with 20 years servitude.