Four: Leading Stoker C. F. Randell, Royal Navy

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (Chas. Randell, O.S., H.M.S. Harrier) officially impressed naming; Abyssinia 1867 (C. Randell A.B. H.M.S. Octavia) suspension repaired; Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (C. F. Randell, Lg. Stkr. H.M.S. Monarch); Khedive’s Star 1882, all fitted with matching engraved silver ribbon brooches, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine or better and possibly a unique combination (4) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866.

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Collection

Ex Corbett Collection, Glendining November 1994.

Randell's New Zealand medal was issued on 28 October 1870. 80 medals (10 to R.N. officers, 60 to R.N. ratings, and 10 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were awarded to H.M.S. Harrier for the Second New Zealand War, of which 31 are known including one with the reverse undated and the rest with reverses dated 1863 to 1864.

About 1,980 medals were awarded to the Royal Navy for Abyssinia, of which 611 were awarded to H.M.S. Octavia. 582 medals with clasp “Alexandria 11th July” were awarded to H.M.S. Monarch.

Charles Francis Randell was born on 15 July 1845, at Weymouth, Dorset, and enlisted for 10 years on his 18th birthday on 15 July 1863, with No. 7553a, and re-engaged for another 10 years on 29 August 1873. His Trade on enlistment is noted as 'None'. He was promoted to Leading Stoker and transferred to H.M.S. Nassau in December 1876, and subsequently served in H.M. ships Asia, Excellent, Wye, Audacious, Nassau, Modeste, Juno, Euphrates, and Monarch. His record is annotated “Traced P 31.8.1883” and he was pensioned ashore from H.M.S. Asia on 25 September 1883.