The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

China 1842 (James Gibbs, H.M.S. Cruizer) nearly very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Thomas Jones alias James Gibbs was a convicted smuggler, born circa 1800 at Walmer, Deal. He was apprehended for smuggling on the North coast of Kent on 20 November 1816 and without redress, nor even an appearance in court, he was promptly ‘impressed’ into the Navy for five years. He was discharged on 26 January 1822 having served his 5 year sentence. He remained on shore for three and a half years, apparently as a Baker, before rejoining the Navy on 6 July 1825, having in the meantime changed his name to James Gibbs. He served afloat as a Captain’s Cook aboard H.M.Ships RANGER and PRINCE REGENT until 1828 when he served ashore for a further six years. From December 1834 until his death in 1849, he spent most of his time at sea as Ward Room, Gun Room, Ship’s or Captain’s Cook aboard H.M. Ships OCEAN, ASIA and TERROR before joining CRUIZER (5 April 1838) to earn his China 1842 medal as a Gun Room Cook. He ended his career as a Captain’s Steward being discharged sick from the Troopship HERCULES on 8 November 1849. On New Year’s Eve 1849 he died from severe effects of erysipelas, a highly infectious disease causing diffuse inflammation of the upper part of the body. For further details on his career and smugglers medals in general see ‘Naval Medals 1793-1856’, pp. 167-171.