Lot 2114

Description

New Zealand Medal, undated. J Billings Corpl RMA HMS Corelia 1860-61. Engraved. Extremely fine.

Ex Captain Douglas-Morris Collection 1996. An insufficient number of medals were struck by the Royal Mint with dates '1860-61', the shortfall being overcome in a few cases by issuing surplus medals with the date '1860'. Those officers and men who took part in the earlier campaigns were, after 1873, issued with a medal with an undated reverse with, in a number of cases, the date '1860-61', being added to the impressed or engraved edge details. HMS Cordelia was a steam corvette served in New Zealand from 1860 to 1861. A number of her men took part in the action at Materikirike on 29 December 1860 and smaller skirmishes in the Taranaki area in 1861. There were 29 New Zealand War Medals awarded to men of HMS Cordelia (4 to officers, 16 to naval ratings and 9 to Royal Marines, of which 2 were Royal Marine Artillery). This medal is the senior issue to the RMA for the ship. Joseph Billings was born at Hinkley, Leicester on 31 January 1829 and enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in 1847. He was posted to HMS Cordelia as a Corporal, Royal Marine Artillery on 17 April 1857. He served in New Zealand with the Naval Brigade and was ashore with men of Cordelia and Pelorus during the period 20 April 1860 to 28 May 1860, and participated in the engagement at Waireka, near New Plymouth in 1860. He was discharged from HMS Cordelia to Plymouth Headquarters on 2 April 1862. This is possibly a unique undated medal to HMS Cordelia and one of just two medals to men of the Royal Marine Artillery from HMS Cordelia. Of these two men, Corporal Billings was the most senior. He was awarded an undated medal on 17 November 1876 with dates additionally engraved on the rim after the naming.