Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1842 (Henry Tanner, H.M.S. Sulphur.) original suspension, nearly extremely fine £500-£600

Henry Tanner was born at Portsmouth on 30 November 1817, and joined the Royal Navy in Sea Flower on 23 June 1834, as a Boy 1st Class. He joined Sulphur on 2 October 1835, and served in her for almost the whole of her commission, until 2 August 1842, having been advanced to Ordinary Seaman in July 1838 and to Able Seaman in February 1839. He became a gunnery specialist and, whenever between ships, did courses at Excellent, the gunnery training ship. The first of these was from September 1842 until June 1843, before joining Cormorant where he remained until December 1847, first as Able Seaman (Seaman Gunner) until September 1843, then as Gunner’s Mate to August 1844, then as Seaman’s Schoolmaster until December 1847, except for a period as Able Seaman between December 1845 and March 1846.

He then returned to Excellent from December 1847 to September 1848, before joining Cuckoo as Gunner’s Mate until July 1851 when he joined Dasher, where he remained until July 1858, apart from a week in Excellent in December 1856. His engagement came to an end when he left Dasher in July 1858. He had served a total of 20 years 187 days, with 17 years 186 days from the age of 18, and 14 years 131 days as a Superior Petty Officer. There is no mention in his papers of a L.S. & G.C. medal.

H.M.S. Sulphur acted as a surveying vessel during the First China War and was much involved , especially during the actions leading to the capture of Canton in May 1841. Approximately 94 medals issued to this ship. Sold with copied record of service and other research.