Four: Leading Stoker J. Harris, Royal Navy, Abyssinia (Stoker 2 Cl., H.M.S. Daphne), an official replacement issue; South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (Lg. Stoker, H.M.S. Boadicea); Egypt, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Ldg. Sto., H.M.S. Carysfort); Khedive's Star 1884-5, the first with repaired suspension, edge bruising, very fine and better (4)

Details

Four: Leading Stoker J. Harris, Royal Navy, Abyssinia (Stoker 2 Cl., H.M.S. Daphne), an official replacement issue; South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (Lg. Stoker, H.M.S. Boadicea); Egypt, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Ldg. Sto., H.M.S. Carysfort); Khedive's Star 1884-5, the first with repaired suspension, edge bruising, very fine and better (4)

Lot Essay

Leading Stoker James Harris was born in Bideford, Devon in February 1845 and entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Indus in February 1867. Subsequently transferred to H.M.S. Daphne in June of the same year, he saw service off Abyssinia - the roll states 'Duplicate Medal sent 8 December 1885', his original award making an appearance at Sotheby's in February 1886 as part of the Steven Collection! Advanced to Leading Stoker in October 1876, he next witnessed active service in H.M.S. Boadicea off South Africa between 1878-79 and in H.M.S. Carysfort in Egyptian waters between 1884-85, and was finally pensioned in January 1887.