Orders, Decorations and Medals

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 3 clasps, Off Tamatave 20 May 1811, Java, Algiers (Robert Gordon, Actg. Lieut. R.N.) original ribbon with an unusual silver fittment for attaching to the button-hole, toned, extremely fine

Approximately 87 clasps issued for the action Off Tamatave, the combination above being unique.
Captain Robert Gordon was born on 7 September, 1796, and was descended from Alexander Lord Gordon, Earl of Huntly. He entered the Navy in May 1810, as a Volunteer aboard the Phoebe, in which ship he took part in the long and arduous action with three French frigates off Tamatave, 20 May, 1811. In company with the Astrea, Galatea and Racehorse, he contributed to the capture of the French 40-gun frigate Renommée, and six days later witnessed the surrender of the Néréide, a frigate of similar size, which had been much shattered in the same action. Being fine new frigates, they were added to the British Navy, the Renommée under the name of Java, and the Néréide as the Madagascar. After participating in the conquest of the island of Java, he removed, as Midshipman, in January 1813, to the Tonnant on the North American coast and took part in many operations against the American enemy, and was present in the attack upon New Orleans. He left the Tonnant in July, 1816, for the purpose of joining the Queen Charlotte, flag ship of Lord Exmouth, who, investing him with the rank of Acting-Lieutenant, enabled him to share in that capacity in the ensuing bombardment of Algiers, for which he received his promotion. He subsequently commanded the Confiance on the Jamaica station, the Herald, diplomatic yacht, lying at Portsmouth, and, in 1831, the Pearl on the West India station. Captain Gordon attained his Post-rank on 10 January, 1837, and in 1843 was elected as an Elder Bretheren of the Trinity House.