Lot Essay
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm James Forster as an Able Seaman aboard the Caesar for the Basque Roads action of April 1809 and as a Quarter-Master's Mate aboard the Impregnable for the operations off Algiers in August 1816, but not for the Boat Service action of 4.2.1804, this latter being one of just 10 such clasps recorded on the Admiralty roll. It should be noted, however, from research that accompanies the Lot, that a James Forster is verified aboard the Centaur for the period 20.7.1803 until 20.4.1805, having been 'Prest at Sea', aged 18 years, on the former date. It is therefore probable that above three-clasp award is the recipient's correct entitlement and the one that was recorded in the Murray Collection in 1882.