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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 6

The Naval General Service Medal awarded to Able Seaman R. Higgins, Royal Navy, who was present in H.M.S. Queen at Lord Howe's 'Glorious First of June' action and in Admiral Bridport's victory off Brittany on 23 June 1795

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, 1 June 1794, 23 June 1795 (Richard Higgins), good very fine

Five officers and 14 ratings of the Queen lived to receive the clasp '1 June 1794', and one officer and 12 ratings the clasp '23 June 1795'; sold with copied medal roll verification.

Richard Higgins was born in Berkshire and entered the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in H.M.S. Queen in December 1792, aged 25.

Appointed to the ship's Carpenter's Crew in March 1794, he was present at Lord Howe's famous 'Glorious First of June' action in the same year and at the defeat of the French fleet and capture of three ships of the line by Admiral Bridport off the Isle de Groix, Brittany, 23 June 1795. In the former action, the Queen sustained serious damage and her commanding officer, Captain John Hutt, died of wounds.

For his own part, Higgins was discharged from the Queen at Portsmouth in April 1796 and next joined the Royal William, but he was returned ashore as 'unserviceable' just a month later.

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Estimate
£2,500 to £3,000

Starting price
£2500