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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 184

(x) Four: Admiral's Steward W. Sprackett, Royal Navy, late Private, Royal Marines Light Infantry and Drummer, Rifle Brigade

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1970 (1312 Drummer W. Sprackett 1st. B'n. R.'. B'de.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. Sprackett. Cap: Stewd. H.M.S. Alexandra.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Willm Sprackett. Private 26th Co. R.M.L.I.), Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed, heavy edge bruise to third, otherwise light pitting and contact marks, very fine (4)

Provenance:
Christie's, July 2000.

William Sprackett was born at Canterbury in 1850, the son of William Sprackett, a serving member of the Rifle Brigade. Enlisting in his father's regiment in 1857, Sprackett served with them for the next eleven years including service in Canada between 1868-70. Interestingly while he appears on the Battalion roll for the Fenian Raid 1870 as a Drummer he is noted as a Bugler on his service papers.

Discharged from the Army in February 1879 he enlisted with the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Gosport in April 1879, listing himself as a Musician. Despite his service with the Royal Marines only lasting seventeen months Sprackett was awarded his Royal Naval L.S. & G.C. on the strength of his eighteen years of overall service.

He thence joined the Royal Navy in October 1880, as Domestic 2nd Class. Listed as Secretary's Servant in the 1881 census, by the time of the Bombardment of Alexandria Sprackett was Steward to Captain Charles Horton of the battleship H.M.S. Alexandra. This vessel was the flagship for Admiral Proctor and was heavily engaged with the shore defences during the action.

Continuing to serve with the Royal Navy he was aboard such vessels as Northumberland, Agincourt and Minotaur. With that last vessel Sprackett was promoted to Admiral's Steward, serving Vice Admiral Sir William Hewett, V.C.

Finally shore-pensioned in October 1890, he took work as a butler. By 1901 he was working at 21-23 Hyde Park Gardens, London for Mr Charles Budd in 1901. He was married to Marion Bowden and their son, also called William, also went on to serve with the Rifle Brigade. Sprackett died in 1914 and is buried at Acton Cemetery, London; sold together with copied research including census data, service papers and photographs.

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

Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£350