An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (Mr. C E Grisell - Midn - R-N - HMS Esk) officially impressed naming, some surface roughness on reverse, otherwise very fine £500-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals for the Maori Wars, 1845-1866.

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Midshipman Grissell's medal was issued on 16 May 1873. 119 medals (16 to R.N. officers, 79 to R.N. ratings, one to R.M. officer, and 23 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were issued to H.M.S. Esk of which 48 are known, including 4 with reverses undated (all to R.N. ratings) and the rest with reverses dated 1863-1864.

Charles Edmund Grissell was born on 8 March 1849, the son of Major Charles Grissell of the 61st Bengal Native Infantry, who was born in London in 1805 and died in July 1855, aged 50, from a fall from a buggy. Charles Edmund Grissell entered the service as a Naval Cadet on Brittania on 10 December 1861 until April 1863. He served aboard the Esk from 22 April 1863 until June 1867, and Brisk from June 1867 to January 1869. Service followed aboard a succession of H.M. Ships: Excellent (January to April 1869), Endymion (May 1869 to November 1870), Duke of Wellington (December 1870 to January 1871), Dido (April 1871), Duke of Wellington (April 1871 to April 1872), Cambridge (June 1872 to August 1873), and Teazer (September 1873 to August 1874). He was placed on the Retired List from 15 February 1875, due to short-sightedness, and retired on active half-pay of 4/- per day as, Lieutenant, as of 5 March 1875.

Lieutenant Charles Edmund Grissell's name was removed from the Navy List as of 12 March 1880, having been found guilty of contempt of the House of Commons for failing to attend as a witness before the Tower Hill Level Bridge (Metropolis) Committee. Sold with copy service records.