The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

China 1900, no clasp (Boatn. E. Patterson, R.N., H.M.S. Aurora) nearly extremely fine

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

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Edward Patterson was born on 3 October 1861 in Croydon, Surrey, and was a butcher prior to joining the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. FISGARD on 28 September 1877 aged 16 years. He transferred to IMPREGNABLE on 5 October 1877, advanced to Boy 1st Class on 9 October 1878, ROYAL ADELAIDE (April 1879), IMPREGNABLE (May 1879), THETIS (June 1879), and GARNETT (October 1879). In the latter vessel he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 3 October 1879 next joining TRIUMPH (October 1879) where he was advanced to Able Seaman on 4 September 1882. He then served as A.B. aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON (October 1882), SEAHORSE (December 1882), EXCELLENT (July 1883), and READY (June 1884), where he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 4 January 1885. His promotion was to be short lived as he was disrated to Able Seaman on 7 December 1885, his misdemeanour not recorded other than that it was sufficiently serious to receive a punishment of 30 days in Stanley Goal, beginning on 8 December 1885.

On his release from goal he returned to READY and continued to serve as an A.B. until joining RUBY (March 1886) where he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 8 February 1887 and to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1 April 1888. He next served aboard EXCELLENT (May 1899) and advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class on 12 September 1889. In this rate he joined DEVASTATION (September 1889), EXCELLENT (April 1890), EDINBURGH (September 1890) and POLYPHEMUS (February 1892), where he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer on 19 February 1902 and confirmed in the rank on 19 February 1893. He next joined PEMBROKE (October 1893) where he was promoted to Acting Bosun (Warrant Officer) on 7 February 1894, RODNEY (May 1894) and confirmed in the rank of Bosun with seniority of 7 February 1894. He served next aboard AGINCOURT (December 1897) and CALLIOPE (March 1900). In the latter ship he was sentenced by Court Martial of 11 April 1900 to forfeit six months seniority as a Bosun and was dismissed his ship. He was subsequently appointed to AURORA in May 1900 and served in this vessel in Chinese waters during June to December 1900. Whilst in AURORA he was sentenced by Court Martial to lose all seniority as a Bosun and dismissed his ship and the service.