The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, 1891-2, Witu August 1893 (N. J. Corbett, Ord., H.M.S. Sparrow) good very fine

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

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Nathaniel Corbett was born in Kennington, Surrey, on 3 July 1873. He entered the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 29 June 1889, and subsequently served aboard LION (1889-91) where he was made a Boy 1st Class during August 1890. He was advanced to Ord in PENELOPE during July 1891, then drafted to SPARROW (30 July 1891 to 5 December 1893) to earn his African awards during service on shore with the ship's Naval Brigade. He next served aboard TYNE (1894-95) where he was advanced to A.B. in January 1895, BLENHEIM (1895-96) and finally EMPRESS OF INDIA from which vessel he purchased his discharge on 40 June 1897, somewhat to the Navy's delight, for he had deserted on two occasions and been sent to serve time in cells on three occasions.