Lot 4810

Description

Naval General Service Medal, - clasp - 1 June 1794. Digby Willoughby. Impressed. Nicely toned, a few small edge nicks, otherwise extremely fine.

Ex J. and J. Edwards Collection.

Confirmed on medal roll for clasp, Lt Digby Middleton HMS Colloden but recorded incorrectly as Lieut.s' Servant.

From the Culloden's log on 1 June 1794 - 'Bore down on the enemy between the Invincible and Gibraltar. 1/2 past 9, began to engage; the first was the one ahead of the French Admiral, some time after their shot passed over us. Shot away her fore mast, soon after her main and mizzen masts went. Observed several ships dismasted. Engaged on different tacks as we could get near and bring our guns to bear...PM - Moderate and hazy. Engaging the enemy as we could get near them and bring our guns to bear. About one firing began to cease...Got ready for taking the Vengeur in tow, our boats, got the French captain and 120 prisoners on board.

Digby Willoughby, 7th Baron Middleton (29 November 1769 - 5 November 1856) was an English nobleman and sailor, the eldest son of Francis Willoughby of Hesley, Nottinghamshire and Octavia Fisher, and great-grandson of the 1st Baron Middelton. He entered the Royal Navy in 1782, retiring as a captain in 1840. He succeeded his cousin, the 6th Baron, in 1835. He lived in the Willoughby family seat at Wollaton Park, Nottinghamshire. He never married but had one illegitimate daughter, Octavia.

With medal photo and details, the peerage and baronet lineage for the Middleton family and an air letter from Lord Middleton, signed personally, from Birdsall, Malton, Yorkshire, England.