Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 7

(x) Matthew Boulton's Medal for Trafalgar, silver, mounted with glazed lunettes and a silver band, together with a fine swivel suspension, original riband as worn with buckle claw, nearly extremely fine

Attributed to Lieutenant L. Dennys, Royal Navy, whose entry in A Naval Biographical Dictionary gives further detail:

'Lardner Dennys, whose family is of high and ancient extraction, is youngest son of the late Nicholas Dennys, Esq., formerly of Ashley Park, near Tiverton, co. Devon; and grandson of Nicholas Dennys, Esq., for many years M.P. for Barnstaple.

This officer entered the Navy, about April, 1805, as Midshipman, on board the Achille, 74, commanded by the late Sir Rich. King. While in that ship, independently of many cutting-out affairs, he was present at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805; witnessed Sir Sam. Hood’s capture of four French frigates off Rochefort, 25 September 1806; served on shore during the operations connected with the expedition to Walcheren in 1809; and was employed, in 1810, at the siege of Cadiz. In the early part of 1811 he accompanied the same Captain into the San Josef, 110, flag-ship in the Mediterranean of Sir Charles Cotton; and after a subsequent attachment of four months, as Signal Mate, to the Caledonia, 120, flag-ship of Sir Edward Pellew, to whom his knowledge of French signals enabled him on one occasion to intimate the approach of a French squadron, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 6 February 1812. From 25 November following until June, 1816, Mr. Dennys next served in various parts of the globe on board the Horatio, 38, whom he assisted at the capture, in December 1813, of the Dutch islands of Schouwen and Tholen. He returned home from the East Indies, in December 1816, as Acting-Captain of the Elk, 18; and, being then paid off, has not since been employed.

In 1815 Dennys received a reward from Lloyd’s, for services rendered to a ship in danger on the coast of Ireland. He married a great-grand-daughter of Admiral Sir Richard Haddock; and, on 1 May 1845, was left a widower with 11 children.'

Dennys lived to claim his Naval General Service Medal with clasp 'Trafalgar'; sold together with an envelope, inscribed in ink 'Britain - Davison's [sic] Trafalgar 1805 belongs in group to Lt. Dennys.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,400

Starting price
£700