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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 8

A most interesting and well-presented glazed Nile medal attributed to Surgeon Sir J. Cullerne, Royal Navy

Alexander Davison’s Medal for The Nile 1798, silver or bronze-gilt, contained in a contained gold rimmed glazed frame, this attractively engraved with the Nile inscription, with loop and ring suspension and presented upon Naval Gold Medal riband, with a finely engraved gold plaque affixed via chain to the suspension stating 'Davison's Medal, for the Nile 1798. Presented to Sir Joseph Cullerne (who was Surgeon on Nelson's ship when he fell.) + now sold by his Great Grandaughter, bought by C. G. Duff. Christies. Mar. 24. 1903.', and housed within a navy leather fitted case by Spink & Son, Piccadilly, all but extremely fine

Provenance:
By descent in the Duff family.
Purchased by C. G. Duff, Christies, 24 March 1903 (£5), when sold by the great-grandaughter of Cullerne. The sale of this Medal and purchase price was published in the London Daily News, 25 March 1903.

One might surmise the purchase was made due to the Duff & Cullerne family connections to Lord Nelson. George Duff was Captain of the Mars at Trafalgar - and was also killed in action - he was unfortunate enough to have his head carried away by a cannonball. The crew of Mars were far from despondent at his misfortune. Instead his headless corpse was carried about the deck before the crew gave it three cheers, returning him to where he fell and draping his body with a Union Jack.

Little more is known regarding the career of Surgeon Sir Joseph Cullerne, although he is clearly aboard Ramilies in 1801 (TNA ADM 101/116/3B/2, refers) and is recorded as having joined Triumph in 1809.

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Sold for
£3,000