Description
Ashantee Medal 1873, no bar, Stoker Edward Ryan, HMS Bittern, Royal Navy. From Sandymount, Dublin.
Officially engraved: “E. Ryan, Stoker. H.M.S. Bittern. 73-74”
Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers.
About 106 medals were issued to the Bittern, a Gunvessel.
Edward Ryan was an Irishman who was born in Sandymount, Dublin, on 2nd October 1849.
On the 27th October 1863, the day of his 14th Birthday he joined the Royal Navy, having to get consent from his Father as he was so young.
A note in his records from his father Thomas Ryan reads: “The Father of Edward Ryan willingly consents to him entering the Navy.”
He saw the following ships services:
HMS Bittern, 1st Jan 1873 – 6th March 1875, during this time promoted from Stoker 2nd Class to Stoker.
HMS Malabar, 7th march 1875 to 6th April 1875
HMS Asia, 7th April 1875 – 17th April 1871
HMS Pembroke, 18th April 1875 – 3rd Sept 1875
HMS Jackal, 4th Sept 1875 – 7th Dec 1875
HMS Iron Duke, 8th Dec 1875 – 16th July 1877
HMS Indus, 17th July 1877 – 13th Aug 1877
HMS Sirius, 14th August – 10th October 1877.
He was then discharged to shore after finishing his 10 year contract.
