Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 314

(x) Ashantee 1873-74, no clasp (T. Walton. A.B. H.M.S. Encounter. 73-74), nearly very fine

Thomas Walton served as an Able Seaman served for just over a month aboard H.M.S. Challenger (List 5/70, refers). He was born on 6 August 1848 at Ely, Cambridgeshire and was a butcher by trade when he joined the Royal Navy as a 15 year old Boy (2nd Class), signing-on for 10 years from his eighteenth birthday. When he joined the Navy he stood at 4 feet 10 inches tall, but would grow another 5 inches whilst in the servce, with grey eyes, brown hair and fresh complexion.

Walton joined Challenger at the very start of the expedition but deserted on 20 December 1872 when she was in Portsmouth, just 35 days into the cruise. Recaptured, he was sentenced and spent time in Lewes and Maidstone Prisons. After a brief period in the Naval Barracks, Walton next served aboard Encounter and saw active service during the Ashantee War (Medal without clasp).

His career would be ended in September 1874, when he was attacked by a shark and bitten on his side and on the back of his left hand, being admitted to Simons Bay Hospital on 11 September. Posted to Basilisk on 28 September 1874, he was invalided from the service on 8 January 1875; sold together with copied service record.

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

Sold for
£180

Starting price
£140