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

Pair: Captain of the Main Top William Bridger, Royal Navy, later Commissioned Boatman in the Coast Guard

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1864 (W. Bridger, Captn. Mn. Top, H.M.S. Esk) officially impressed naming; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Wm. Bridger, Comd. Boatmn. H.M. Coast Gd.) engraved naming, both medals fitted with matching silver ribbon brooches, contact marks, therefore nearly 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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Collection

Ex Corbett Collection, Glendining November 1994.

Bridger's New Zealand War medal was issued on 2 December 1870. 119 medals (16 to R.N. officers, 79 to R.N. ratings, 1 to R.M. officer, and 23 to R.M. N.C.Os. and men) were issued to H.M.S. Esk for the Second New Zealand War, of which 48 are known including 4 with undated reverses (all to R.N. ratings) and the rest with reverses dated 1863-1864.

William Bridger was born on 3 September 1838, at Hayling, Hampshire. His earlier service records have not been sought but he first enlisted in 1853 and re-engaged in September 1866 for 10 years with C.S. No. 1710. At some stage he transferred to H.M. Coast Guard from which he was pensioned on 28 September 1876.