The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Four: Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, The Nile 1884-85 (R. Thompson, 2nd Capt. F’Top H.M.S. “Monarch”); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (R. Thompson, P.O. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Turquoise); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Richd. Thompson, Act. C.P.O. H.M.S. Excellent) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star 1882, some pitting, otherwise generally very fine (4)

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

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Richard Thompson was born in St Annes, Middlesex, on 23 November 1856. He was employed as a servant before joining the Royal Navy on 1 January 1873, and entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class at the training establishment H.M.S. VINCENT. Promoted to Boy 1st Class on 29 October 1873, he then joined EXCELLENT on 21 November 1874. He next served in DUKE OF WELLINGTON (May 1874), and MONARCH (June 1874) in which vessel he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman on 23 November 1874. He served next aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON (July 1877) where he was promoted to Able Seaman on 29 November 1877, to FOX (January 1878), and to DUKE OF WELLINGTON (June 1878). He served as an Able Seaman aboard FOX (June 1878), DUKE OF WELLINGTON (November 1879), and EXCELLENT (January 1880). Whilst in EXCELLENT he was loaned to the Coast Guard Service at Wick. He returned to the Royal Navy aboard LORD WARDEN (September 1880) and EXCELLENT (April 1881). He was promoted to Leading Seaman on 12 January 1882 and to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 30 April 1882 whilst serving in MONARCH, in which vessel he was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. He landed as a member of the Nile Flotilla in 1884-85 and for his good services was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 1 January 1885 and awarded the clasp ‘The Nile 1884-85’. He next joined EXCELLENT (August 1885), and TURQUOISE (October 1887).

Whilst in TURQUOISE he landed in October 1890 as part of the punitive Expedition sent to punish Sultan Fumo Bakari of Witu following the brutal murder of a number of German workers. He joined EXCELLENT in June 1891 and was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 7 January 1893, and to Chief Petty Officer on 25 October 1894 whilst serving in GALATEA. He served next aboard EDINBURGH (December 1894), and RODNEY (September 1897). He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1891 whilst serving aboard HMS EXCELLENT, the lateness of the award being the result of the ‘fair’ character rating in 1878 necessitating a new start to the counting of his continuous ‘very good’ assessments. He was pensioned ashore on 3 June 1899 having completed 25 years service and continued to serve after discharge as an A.B. Pensioner at EXCELLENT until 13 December 1899. He joined the Portsmouth Division, Royal Fleet Reserve, on 14 October 1901 and served until discharged on 23 November 1906 having reached 50 years of age.