拍品專文
Shown on the ADM Medal Rolls as being only entitled to the Martinique clasp. He was, however, clearly present in the Guadaloupe operations.
Lieutenant Alphonso Henry (Henri), entered the Royal Navy in 1805 as a First Class Volunteer, serving firstly aboard H.M.S. Astrea and thence H.M.S. Crescent with the in-shore Squadron off Brest and then off Texel. In August 1807 he was sent as Midshipman with only one man to navigate into Yarmouth Roads a Prize Vessel containing 15 prisoners. However, a shift in the wind blew the ship towards the Dutch coast enabling the Dutch to retake their vessel. Being chased by a British Cruiser the Dutch ship ran ashore and was wrecked and Henry's life was saved only by the intrepid actions of a Gendarme who, witnessing the scene, swam off on horseback and effected his rescue. After nine months as a Prisoner of War, he joined H.M.S. Roebuck in May 1808 and thence the Gloire, in which ship he was present at the reduction of Martinique in February 1809. Immediately after he was made Master's Mate aboard H.M.S. Frolic but returned to the Gloire in time to participate in the capture of Guadaloupe in February 1810, and continued to be borne on her books until June 1811. During his period aboard the Gloire he had charge of an American Prize. The men assigned to watch the prisoners apparently allowed themselves to be drugged on opium and they and the watch on deck were overcome by the prisoners. Given the option of returning to America as a prisoner or of taking his chance in the ship's long-boat, Henry, in company with others, took his chance in the latter and was fortunate to arrive safely on the Island of Barbuda. In December 1811 he was promoted Acting-Lieutenant and then Lieutenant and further service followed. In September 1818 he was placed in command of the Cutter Viper and operated successfully against smugglers, though on one occasion, whilst on duty, he was nearly murdered, and a substantial reward was offered by the Treasury for the apprehension of the culprits. In December 1821 Henry transferred to the Coast Guard, his son following in his footsteps as another distinguished Naval Officer (see Lot 327).
Lieutenant Alphonso Henry (Henri), entered the Royal Navy in 1805 as a First Class Volunteer, serving firstly aboard H.M.S. Astrea and thence H.M.S. Crescent with the in-shore Squadron off Brest and then off Texel. In August 1807 he was sent as Midshipman with only one man to navigate into Yarmouth Roads a Prize Vessel containing 15 prisoners. However, a shift in the wind blew the ship towards the Dutch coast enabling the Dutch to retake their vessel. Being chased by a British Cruiser the Dutch ship ran ashore and was wrecked and Henry's life was saved only by the intrepid actions of a Gendarme who, witnessing the scene, swam off on horseback and effected his rescue. After nine months as a Prisoner of War, he joined H.M.S. Roebuck in May 1808 and thence the Gloire, in which ship he was present at the reduction of Martinique in February 1809. Immediately after he was made Master's Mate aboard H.M.S. Frolic but returned to the Gloire in time to participate in the capture of Guadaloupe in February 1810, and continued to be borne on her books until June 1811. During his period aboard the Gloire he had charge of an American Prize. The men assigned to watch the prisoners apparently allowed themselves to be drugged on opium and they and the watch on deck were overcome by the prisoners. Given the option of returning to America as a prisoner or of taking his chance in the ship's long-boat, Henry, in company with others, took his chance in the latter and was fortunate to arrive safely on the Island of Barbuda. In December 1811 he was promoted Acting-Lieutenant and then Lieutenant and further service followed. In September 1818 he was placed in command of the Cutter Viper and operated successfully against smugglers, though on one occasion, whilst on duty, he was nearly murdered, and a substantial reward was offered by the Treasury for the apprehension of the culprits. In December 1821 Henry transferred to the Coast Guard, his son following in his footsteps as another distinguished Naval Officer (see Lot 327).