Naval General Service Medal, 1793-1840

Issued on 1 June 1847, and authorised especially by Queen Victoria, the Naval General Service Medal, struck in silver, commemorated the various successful naval actions fought between 1793 and 1840. In the case of the Battle of Trafalgar, due to the time that had elapsed and because only surviving participants could apply relatively few were issued. For Victory medals were issued to the 14 surviving officers and 105 men remaining from the approximately 640 original survivors of the action.

Cornelius Carroll, born in Plymouth, was first recorded on the books of Lord Nelson's Flagship, Victory, 9 April 1803, Boy 2nd Class, aged 12 years. He re-entered the Victory, the same Rate, 1 March 1805. Carroll received Prize Money of £1 17s.8d., and a Parliamentary award of £4 12s.6d. He was discharged from the Victory together with his father, Charles Carroll, who served as a cook, on 14 January 1806.