An important Naval General Service Medal for sale with Trafalgar Clasp. The Naval General Service Medal to Landsman Christopher Halfpenny, (unique name to Roll), HMS Temeraire. The medal in excellent condition, with the naming crisp and clear. The NGSM silk medal ribbon includes an ornate, silver top buckle.

A bespoke medal mount, and illustrative shadow mount, was commissioned for the Naval General Service Medal by the previous custodian. The illustrations to the medal mount include HMS Temeraire, the captured French Redoutable and a portrait of Horatio Nelson. The Naval General Service Medal is easily removed from the mount.

The Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar (October 21^st 1805) was the most significant naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars and effectively destroyed Napoleon’s threat of invasion. Today,The Battle of Trafalgar, (along with the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Battle of Britain), occupies first place in Britain’s historical consciousness.

HMS Temeraire

HMS Temeraire was a 98-gun, Royal Navy, second–rate ship of the line. Launched in 1798 she fought only one, albeit noble fleet action - The Battle of Trafalgar where she went into action immediately astern Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory. Critical to the success of the Battle, HMS Temeraire captured two French ships, The Redoutable and Fougeaux. She was the only British ship singled-out for special praise in Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s dispatch: Temeraire's crew, (totaling 755), sustained 123 casualties, 76 wounded & 47 dead. HMS Temeraire was also demasted by canon fire.   

Described as ‘most noble & distinguished,' HMS Temeraire remains at the very heart of Britain’s maritime DNA. She is immortalised in both literature and art, (most notably, Turner’s painting The Fighting Temeraire, The National Gallery,Traflagar Square, London). 

Landsman Christopher Halfpenny

Landsman Christopher Halfpenny  was aboard HMS Temeraire at The Battle of Trafalgar. Dublin-born Halfpenny was just 24, and one of 220 Irish seamen from a 755 crew. Halfpenny's name is unique to the NGS Roll. The 1861 census is believed to be the last known record for Halfpenny, (and confirms he was 80 years old, circa 1861). 

Provenance

Spink September 1979, Glendining March 1992, DNW June 24th 2009, [Lot 5].

Price: £9,750.00 [Sold]

We are currently looking to buy Naval General Service Medals (NGSM), Military General Service Medals, and Waterloo Medals (including medal collections), representing distinguished regiments and individuals.

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