The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (W. Sayer, Ord. H.M.S. Ranger) scratching to obverse, otherwise 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 Sayer was born in Gillingham, Kent, on 9 September 1867, and worked as a pot boy prior to joining the Royal Navy. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 4 April 1883 when aged 15 years, and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 5 March 1884. He served in this rate aboard the following ships: AGINCOURT (October 1884), MINOTAUR (October 1884), DUKE OF WELLINGTON (April 1885), BACCHANTE (April 1885), and RANGER (August 1885). In the latter ship he took part in the Burma Campaign of 1885-87 and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class on 9 September 1885, to Ordinary Seaman on 1 February 1886 and to Able Seaman 1 July 1887. He served in this rate for the rest of his service career and subsequently served aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON (November 1887), EXCELLENT (February 1888), ARCHER (December 1888), PENELOPE (January 1890), ARCHER (August 1890), VICTORY I (February 1892), EXCELLENT (May 1892), VICTORY I (October 1892), VERNON (November 1892), CENTURION (February 1894), LEANDER (May 1895), and VICTORY I (October 1895). He was discharged to shore ‘time expired’ on 21 October 1895, having completed his 12 year continuous service engagement. A character rating of ‘fair’ in 1892 whilst serving aboard VICTORY I deprived him of the chance to earn his L.S. & G.C. medal.