The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Tamaai (J. Higgins, Boy 1 Cl. H.M.S. Iris) light pitting, therefore very fine

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

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John Higgins was born on 24 February 1867 in Woolwich, Kent, and prior to joining the Royal Navy he worked as a ropemaker. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE in July 1882 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 1 August 1882. He next served in this rate aboard MINOTAUR (January 1884) and IRIS (April 1884), and whilst in the latter ship he was landed for service on shore with the Naval Brigade and took part in the Battle of Tamaai. He received advancement to Ordinary Seaman on 24 February 1885 and to Able Seaman on 1 April 1886. He subsequently joined CAMBRIDGE (March 1887), DEFIANCE (October 1889), CAMBRIDGE (March 1888), BRISK (March 1888), and VIVID I (November 1891) where he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 15 January 1892. As a Leading Seaman he next joined CAMBRIDGE (February 1892), Defiance (May 1892) and VIVID I (May 1893) where he received advancement to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 9 February 1894. He served next aboard KATOOMBA (March 1894) where he was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 1 April 1897. In this rate he subsequently served aboard DEFIANCE (April 1897), CAMBRIDGE (August 1897) and DEFIANCE (October 1897). He was invalided to Plymouth Hospital and from the service on 7 April 1898, suffering from a disease of the stomach. His adult service of 13 years was insufficient to qualify him for the award of the L.S. & G.C. medal.