The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1884 (W. Exon, A.B. H.M.S. “Euryalus”) good very fine

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

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William Exon (alias Miller) was born in Bristol on 16 November 1857, and entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 30 April 1873, having been a coach builder in civilian life. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class aboard GANGES during June 1874 and subsequently served aboard PENELOPE (1874-75), and ROVER (1875-79) where he was advanced to Ord in August 1876 and to Able Seaman in April 1879. Whilst aboard EURYALUS (11 January 1882 to 23 July 1885) he earned his awards for the Egypt campaign, and received advancement to Leading Seaman during November 1882, to Petty Officer 2nd Class in March 1883 and to Petty Officer 1st Class in June 1885. He was ultimately sent 'to shore as a Rigger in H.M. Dockyard, Chatham, on 13 August 1885, where he was kept on after being pensioned in 1891 until 16 January 1893. Although he lost only one Good Conduct Badge, in 1881, this one slip appears to have debarred him from receiving the L.S. & G.C. medal.