Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (J. Merritt, Ord: H.M.S. Tamar. 73-74) good very fine £160-200

Job Merritt was born at Stroud, Gloucestershire, on 5 March 1855, and joined the Royal Navy on 14 February 1871, serving as a Boy 2nd Class in H.M.S. Tamar. Advanced Ordinary Seaman on 10 April 1872, he served in Tamar during the Ashantee campaign, before joining H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 21 May 1875. Moving to H.M.S. Sultan on 20 July 1875, he was promoted Able Seaman on 1 September 1876, and Leading Seaman on 6 December 1879. Advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 15 April 1881, he joined the Coastguard as Captain of the Mast on 7 March 1883, and was appointed Boatman at Shellness on 15 March of that year, later moving to Westgate in the Harwich District on 1 August 1886. Promoted Commissioned Boatman on 24 April 1890, he moved to East Swale on 1 September 1890, and then to Kingsdown on 1 April 1892, finally retiring to pension on 13 June 1893 at the age of 38.