Lot Essay
Ex McKenzie, 1873 and Cheylesmore, 1930 Collections.
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm 'George' Harding as an Able Seaman aboard the Stork for the action Off the Pearl Rock on 13.12.1808, one of just 14 recipients of this clasp on the Admiralty roll. Both rolls also state entitlement to the clasp for 'Martinique' for services in the same rate and ship.
Although a two-clasp Medal to the same recipient is held in the Collection of the National Maritime Museum, the above award remains an intriguing possibility and appears to be correct in every respect.
'Brave to rashness was the attempt made by three boats of the Circe, 32, to carry the 16-gun Brig Cigne [off the Pearl Rock, Martinique on 12-13.12.1808]. In this desperate affair, Lieutenant Crooke, commanding the boats was wounded in four places; and out of 68 men who accompanied him, only 12 returned unhurt. The Cigne was boarded and captured on the following day by the boats of the Amaranthe, led by Lieutenant Hay, in company with those of the Circe and Stork, an 18-gun Corvette' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
Lieutenant George Harding, who received his Commission in March 1815, also 'served on shore in co-operation with the Patriots of Tarragona in 1813'.
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm 'George' Harding as an Able Seaman aboard the Stork for the action Off the Pearl Rock on 13.12.1808, one of just 14 recipients of this clasp on the Admiralty roll. Both rolls also state entitlement to the clasp for 'Martinique' for services in the same rate and ship.
Although a two-clasp Medal to the same recipient is held in the Collection of the National Maritime Museum, the above award remains an intriguing possibility and appears to be correct in every respect.
'Brave to rashness was the attempt made by three boats of the Circe, 32, to carry the 16-gun Brig Cigne [off the Pearl Rock, Martinique on 12-13.12.1808]. In this desperate affair, Lieutenant Crooke, commanding the boats was wounded in four places; and out of 68 men who accompanied him, only 12 returned unhurt. The Cigne was boarded and captured on the following day by the boats of the Amaranthe, led by Lieutenant Hay, in company with those of the Circe and Stork, an 18-gun Corvette' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
Lieutenant George Harding, who received his Commission in March 1815, also 'served on shore in co-operation with the Patriots of Tarragona in 1813'.