Lot 2002

Description

Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, - clasp - 1 June 1794. William White. Impressed. Suspender repaired, otherwise very fine.

William White served on HMS Glory. The action for which this clasp was sanctioned was one of the first successful ones for the British Navy following the declaration of war with revolutionary France in 1793. On 28 May 1794 twenty five 'Ships of the Line' under Admiral Lord Howe commenced operations against twenty six similar French ships on the Atlantic route to North America. The resultant battle and defeat of the French ships meant that important supplies from their American allies did not reach the French. The British captured seven ships and sank one for no loss and the battle became known as the 'Glorious First of June'. Of great interest is the fact that one of the British ships was HMS Tremendous, a '74' (cannon) Class set in two decks with a crew of six hundred including about one hundred Marines. At the time, a limited number of these Marine officers and NCOs were accompanied by their wives. During and after battle these women were stationed in the lower deck to help with the wounded. There is no explanation as to how a pregnant wife was able to accompany her husband but as it turns out, one was pregnant and gave birth to a son. This fact is revealed in the list of those entitled to the Naval General Service Medal with clasp '1 June 1794' as appeared in the government gazette published in 1847. One entry states 'Name: McKenzie, Daniel Tremendous, Rank: Baby, Ship: Tremendous, Notes: Historically Unique.' With an article, 'The First British Naval General Service Medal and a Unique Recipient', by Tom May published in Australasian Coin & Banknote, October 2007, p62. Ex Tom May Collection, previously sold by Spink.