Orders, Decorations and Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (C. Gaston, Capt. Q.D. Men, H.M.S. Penelope) minor official correction to rate, contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine or better £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Offices and Ratings of H.M.S. Penelope.

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The only man on Penelope’s roll in this rate, Gaston received his Medal from Queen Victoria at Windsor on 21 November 1882, one of 16 fellow members of crew so honoured.

Charles Gaston was born in Woolwich, Kent in October 1857 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in November 1872. A Captain of Quarter Deck Men - rating as Petty Officer 1st Class - by the time of his service in H.M.S. Penelope (June to September 1882), he transferred to the Coast Guard in September 1884 and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in March 1889. Finally pensioned ashore as a Chief Boatman in December 1895, and having served as a member of the Royal Fleet Reserve from January 1902 to October 1907, he found work as a Customs Watcher. Gaston died at Toxteth Park West, Liverpool in December 1927; sold with file of research, including copied service record.