Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 769

Four: Staff Commander W. H. Adlam, Royal Navy

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued, clasp loose on ribbon; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (Navg. Lt. W. H. Adlam, R.N. H.M.S. Simoom. 73-74); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, fitted with replacement suspension, very fine (4)


William Henry Adlam was born on 20 June 1837 at Preshute, the son of coachman James Adlam and his wife Louisa, of St. Margarets, near Calne, Wiltshire. He joined the Royal Navy on 14 July 1853, and served soon thereafter aboard the 110-gun first-rate ship of the line H.M.S. Queen during the Crimean War. Present at the bombardment of Odessa and the engagement of the combined fleets at Sebastopol in October 1854, Adlam was transferred to China in 1857 as Master's Assistant aboard Highflyer. He witnessed the capture of Canton, Peh-Tang and the Peiho Forts, and was present during subsequent operations until the close of the war (further entitlement to clasp for Taku Forts 1858, according to the Navy List).

As Second Master aboard Investigator off the west coast of Africa from 1861-64, Adlam was twice engaged at the assault of the town of Zil, near Lagos, being specially thanked by the Commodore for his services. He returned to Simoom as Navigating Officer during the Ashantee War and received thanks for his services in landing stores at Cape Coast Castle. Adlam was promoted to Staff Commander on 6 March 1875, his service record consistently referring to him as 'trustworthy,' and noting 'a most skilful and proficient Navigator in all branches,' however, despite apparently glowing references, his career was cut short on 26 October 1887 when he died as a result of alcoholism. He is buried at Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£700

Starting price
£320