Able Seaman Francis Minkey was born at Portsea in January 1841 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St. Vincent in May 1856. Advanced to Boy 1st Class, he saw active service off China in H.M.S. Acorn (P.R.O. ADM171/31 refers) and, as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Eclipse in the New Zealand operations of 1863-65. During the latter conflict he was variously lent to H.M. Ships Curacao and Harrier and was onetime attached to the Waikato Flotilla (P.R.O. ADM38/8015 refers). Discharged to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, the receiving ship at Portsmouth, when the Eclipse was paid off in February 1867, the unfortunate Minkey did not live to receive his N.Z. Medal, the relevant roll stating that he was 'Discharged dead' - the award was sent to his brother Thomas Minkey, in January 1871.