Orders, Decorations and Medals

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (Hon. R. Byng, Midshipman) tightened at claw, otherwise nearly extremely fine
£900-1000

The Honourable John Russell Morris Byng was born on 4 August 1823, youngest son of Vice-Admiral Viscount Torrington, by his second wife, Frances Harriet, daughter of Admiral Sir Robert Barlow, G.C.B. He entered the Navy on 31 March 1837 on board the Princess Charlotte bearing the flag in the Mediterranean of Hon. Robert Stopford, under whom he shared in the operations of 1840 on the coast of Syria, including the bombardment of St Jean d’Acre. He passed his examination on 12 April 1843, and after serving on various vessels as Mate on the Mediterranean and Home stations, was awarded a commission dated 25 September 1845. He was subsequently employed on board the Retribution steam frigate, and Vengeance 74, both commanded by Captain Stephen Lushington. In September 1848 he joined the Ocean, Flag Ship at Sheerness, where he remained until his death on 27 April 1850, aged 26.