Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Fleet Paymaster W. E. L. Veale, Royal Navy

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Wm. E. L. Veale, Clerk, “Spartan”); China 1857-60, no clasp, unnamed, minor edge nicks, nearly extremely fine (2) £240-280

William Edward Lyne Veale was born on 14 February 1826, and entered the Royal Navy as an Assistant Clerk on 16 May 1842. He served as Clerk of Larne, Captain Brisbane, on the coast of Africa in 1844-47, and continuously as passed Clerk in San Josef, Belleisle, Racer and Spartan, from 1847 till December 1852 (Burmah Medal), when appointed Clerk in charge of Minden at Hong Kong. He was Paymaster of Barracouta from January 1855 toll August 1857, which vessel was actively engaged whilst on the China station in searching for the Russian squadron, in the suppression of piracy by Chinese junks, and especially on the outbreak of hostilities with the Chinese Government in 1856-57; engaged in the destruction of 26 war junks and the French Folly Fort, and in the bombardment of the Bogue Forts, and all the Canton River fortifications (China Medal). He subsequently served as Additional Paymaster of the Russell, Neptune and Indus, and as Paymaster of Cossack, 1863-64, when appointed Secretary to Admiral the Hon. Joseph Denman, Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific station, 1864-67, and from 1870 to 1873 as Paymaster of flagships Pembroke at Sheerness, and Royal Adelaide at Devonport. He retired after 31 years service on 13 September 1873, and was later appointed Fleet Paymaster (Retired) on 17 February 1886.