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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 118

x Naval General Service 1793-1840, two clasps, Guadaloupe, The Potomac 17 Aug 1814 (Thomas Jennings, Purser.), good very fine Estimate £ 6,000-7,000 Thomas Jennings served as Purser in H.M.S. Melampus for the combined naval and military operations commanded by Vice Admiral the Honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane and Lieutenant General Sir George Beckwith which culminated in the capture of the French-held Island of Guadaloupe, January-February 1810; Jennings served as the same appointment in H.M.S. Seahorse (Flag ship of Captain J.A. Gordon) for the taking of Fort Washington and town of Alexandria, 17-29.8.1814. Gordon´´s squadron managed to capture 21 sail nearly 50 miles up the Potomac River. Thomas Jennings (1770-1854); service in the Royal Navy included as Acting Purser in H.M.S. Bermuda, from December 1805; he proceeded with the latter to Newfoundland (reaching his seniority in January the following year) and then on to the West Indies Station; whilst on this station his vessel was wrecked in the Bahamas, 22.4.1808, with a subsequent Court Martial for it´´s total loss held 19.7.1808; his next appointment was as Purser in H.M.S. Savage, 14.12.1809, he transferred later the same month to H.M.S. Melampus, with whom he served until February 1812; served in H.M.S. Seahorse (Captain J.A. Gordon) May 1813 - September 1815; Jennings did not return to sea for the next 17 years, but in October 1832, aged 62, he was appointed as Purser in H.M.S. Malabar, for service in the Mediterranean; he served a second commission in the Malabar, serving with her until she was paid off, January 1838; appointed Purser H.M.S. Camperdown, aged 73, October 1843; he went on to serve in H.M.S.´´s Queen and Trafalgar before finally retiring, March 1847, aged 77!

Sold for
£6,500