Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

China 1842 (E. Roberts, Actg. Master, H.E.I.C.S. Sesostris) good very fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Kuriheka Collection of British Medals.

View
Collection

68 medals issued to European officers (22) and crew (33 ratings, 13 marines) on board this H.E.I. Company ship. One of four surviving medals to this ship recorded by Douglas-Morris in Naval Medals 1793-1856.

Edward Roberts, Acting Master of H.E.I.C.S. Sesostris, was wounded at the capture of Woosung and Paonshaw on 16 June 1842. In March 1842 he had previously distinguished himself during the repulse of attacks on shipping and the city of Ningpo which took place on the 10th of that month. Captain H. B. Watson, commanding H.M.S. Modeste, reported: ‘At half-past twelve a.m., a shot was fired from two guns, planted on the bank of the river, at H.M.S. Columbine, and, at three a.m., four fire-rafts were discovered drifting down the south-west branch of the river, with the ebb tide, ahead of the Hon. Company’s steamer Sesostris, extending the whole way across it. I immediately sent Lieutenant Pearse, with Messrs. Halkett and Crofton, mates, with two boats to assist in towing the fire-rafts clear of her, and, by the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Roberts, her master, with the boats of the Sesostris, and the quickness with which Commander Ormsby slipped one of his cables, they were happily grounded clear of her, and ahead of the Modeste, where they exploded. During this time a smart fire was kept up on the boats by the enemy from the banks of the river.’