China 1842 (J. Strettell, Actg. Lieut. H.M.S. Herald) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Tim Ash.

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John Strettell was born in London in about 1809 and entered the Royal Navy as First Class Volunteer on 18 August 1824, on board the Prince Regent, and the following month joined the Cambrian. In this frigate, after he had fought at the battle of Navarino, he was wrecked during an attack made upon a nest of pirates at Carabusa on 31 January 1828. From September 1828 until April 1831, he again served in the Mediterranean in the Revenge and Rattlesnake. Having passed his examination, 14 February 1831, he was next employed in the capacity of Mate in the President and Vernon on the coast of North America, and, from August 1834 until March 1837, on the Mediterranean station. In July 1837 he joined the Wellesley, in which ship he assisted in 1838 in quelling an insurrection on the coast of Malabar, participated in 1839 in various operations on the coast of Sinde and in the Persian Gulf, and was present, at the commencement of the war in China, at the capture of the island of Chusan in July 1840.

Being nominated, 3 January 1841, Acting-Lieutenant of the Herald, he contributed to the destruction of the Bogue Forts on 26 February. He landed also, the following day, at the storming of the enemy’s works close to Whampoa Reach, where 54 pieces of cannon were taken. On 13 March he served in the boats at the capture of several rafts and of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton; and he took a similar part at the ensuing reduction of that city. For these services he was twice mentioned in the London Gazette of 1841, pp. 1501 and 1503.

He was confirmed a Lieutenant on 8 June 1841, and was subsequently appointed on 15 April 1842, as Additional, two months after he had left the Herald to the Illustrious, flag-ship of Sir Charles Adams in North America and the West Indies. He afterwards served in the Tweed on the same station, in the Prometheus on the coast of Africa, and in the Bulldog steam-sloop, employed on particular service. Strettell was placed on half-pay in April 1846, and later served in the Coast Guard at Walton Gap, Essex, and at Polkerris, Cornwall, before retiring due to ill-health on 27 December 1855. He died of pulmonary consumption at Torpoint, Devon, on 15 February 1857. Sold with a comprehensive file of research.