Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 5

(x) Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Trafalgar, St. Sebastian (William Mead.), good very fine

Provenance:
Glendining's, September 1923.

A unique name upon the roll. One of just eight Medals with this clasp combination.

William Mead served aboard H.M.S. Leviathan at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, as a Private in the Royal Marines. Leviathan was fifth in the Weather Column as it attacked the Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Villeneuve. The Trafalgar Roll refers:

'she was closely engaged with the French flagship Bucentaure, 80 guns, and the Spanish 140 gun Santisima Trinidad and the 74 gun San Augustin, the latter of which she easily outmanoeuvred, boarded, and carried without opposition. Lashing the Spaniard to her port side, she brought on herself a nasty fire from the French 74 gun Intrepide, until the Africa, Orion, and other ships came to the rescue. Her losses in the battle amounted to twenty-six killed and wounded. The mainpiece of her head was shot through, all three masts, bowsprit, and most of her lower and topsail yards wounded, her mizzen topsail yard shot away, and a great part of the rigging cut to pieces. She received eight shots between wind and water, and had three guns completely disabled.'

Mead served at the same rate aboard H.M.S. Beagle, which assisted in the capture of St. Sebastian when some ship's boats were employed in the inner blockade on 8 September 1813.

Recommended reading:

Mackenzie, Colonel R. H., The Trafalgar Roll: The Officers, The Men, The Ships (London, 1913).

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£5,800