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

Pair: Able Seaman F. C. Moorman, Royal Navy

Baltic 1854-55 (F. Moorman, A.B. H.M.S. Cossack) contemporary engraved naming; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1860 to 1861 (F. C. Moorman, A.B., H.M.S. Pelorus) officially impressed naming, the first with repaired suspension post, contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £450-500

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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Moorman's New Zealand medal was issued on 21 October 1871. 116 medals (11 to R.N. officers, 75 to R.N. ratings, 1 to R.M. officer, and 29 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were issued to H.M.S. Pelorus for the Second New Zealand War, of which 49 are known including one with the reverse undated.

Francis Charles Moorman was born on 3 August 1838 at St. Heliers, Jersey. He entered the service as Boy 2nd Class in Excellent on 5 November 1853, volunteering for 10 years Continuous Service (No. 6209) commencing from 3 August 1856, his 18th birthday. He transferred to Cossack in October 1854, serving in her until July 1857, being awarded the Baltic Campaign medal and being promoted to Boy 1st Class in June 1855. He then served in Pelorus until December 1862, being promoted to Able Seaman in January 1860 and gaining the Second New Zealand War medal. He again served on Excellent until November 1864, being then transferred to Victoria until September 1866, and promoted in September 1865 to Leading Seaman. He re-engaged in Duke of Wellington in December 1866 for a further 10 years as a Leading Seaman, and served on Adventure until April 1868 as Captain's Crew, before transferring to Tamar where he served as Boatswain's Mate until August 1868. This was followed by service in Duke of Wellington until September 1868. He transferred to the Coast Guard in September 1868 as Boatman until July 1876, and then as Commissioned Boatman until July 1878, when he was pensioned with 3 Good Conduct Badges and 21 years 284 days of pensionable service and almost 25 years of actual service.

Sold with about 10 copied pages of Continuous Service Engagement, Seaman's Services, and relevant medal rolls for the Baltic and New Zealand medals.