Description
Ashantee Medal, 1873, Signalman 2nd Class George Henry Finch, HMS Decoy, Royal Navy.
Officially engraved: “G.H. FINCH, SIGn 2CL: H.M.S. Decoy. 73-74”
Confirmed on the medal roll, Good preserved condition and scarce to ship with only about 74 medals issued. Unusual to a signal rating.
Ex DNW, 1st December 2010.
HMS Decoy was a small Ariel Class Gunboat which took part in the Bombardment of Bootry during the war and also signalled the beginning of the attack on Elmina, both of these events are covered by period newspaper pictures which are included with the medal as shown.
From 1885 until 1889, Finch served in Australia onboard the flagship, HMS Nelson, during this time he was advanced to Yeoman of Signals.
George Henry Finch was born on 17th June 1854 in Stonehouse, Devon.
The son of Grenwich Pensioner Charles Finch who in his retirement became a Warder for the Convict Service and Mary Ann.
He first volunteered for service at the age of only 14 years old at HMS Impregnable, on 10th March 1869.
Once he became of age, on his 18th Birthday, he signed on for continuous service from 17th June 1872.
After his 10 years, he signed on for ten more during 1882.
He would finish out his 20 years finishing of his service as 2nd Yeoman of Signals on HMS Belleisle on 20th June 1892.
He had completed 20 official years since turning 18, alongside a little over 3 years whilst underage.
he would however remain with the Royal Navy as an A.b. Pensioner having attended his yearly drills from 12th January 1901 until 1st May 1905.
1901 Census shows him as a Harbour Fleet Reserve Able Seaman Pensioner.
Ashantee war Service on the Gunboat Decoy:
“During our Absence the Decoy and the Argus went down to Boutrie, and by help, partly of some men landed from the ships, and of a well combined movement from the Fort of Dixvoce, succeeded in destroying that village which, like Ampenee and th eothers, had been a great source of supply to the Ashantees.”
About the 5th September 1873:
“However in a few days more skirmishing went on near Dixcove, whereupon Captain Blake bombarded the village of Aquidah, and the Gunboats Merlin and Decoy destroyed the village of Tacorady.”
15th September:
“On the 15th, Lieutenant Hart with HMS Decoy opened fire upon the Ashanti Camp opposite King Blay’s position, and the Ashantis temporarily abandoned it. Captain Stephens writing at this time, reported King Blay as ‘A Nice old man, and loyal to the backbone.’.”
Ships service:
HMS Decoy, Signal 3rd Class, 30th October 1872 – 28th Feb 1877, Promoted Signalman 2nd Class 1st Jan 1877.
Royal Adelaide, 1st March 1877 – 21st May 1877, Promoted Signalman 10th May 1877.
HMS Iron Duke, 22nd May 1877 – 16th July 1877
HMS Topaze, 17th July 1877 – 1st July 1878.
HMS Belleisle, 2nd July 1878 – 31st August 1879.
HMS Royal Adelaide, 1st Sept 1879 – 21st June 1880
HMS Achilles, 22nd June 1880 – 21st January 1882
HMS Royal Adelaide, 22nd January 1882 – 2nd February 1882
HMS Revenge 3rd February 1882 – 2nd October 1884
HMS Royal Delaide, 3rd October 184 – 21st October 1884
HMS Tamar, on passage to Australia to relieve HMS Nelson’s Crew, 22nd October 1884 – 14th January 1885
HMS Nelson, 15th January 1885 – 22nd January 1889.
During this time advanced to Yeoman of Signals on 1st December 1886.
Some sort of demotion back to Signalman on 12th Jan 1889 before leaving for home.
HMS Royal Adelaide, 23rd Jan 1889 – 8th April 1889
HMS Belleisle, 9th April 1889, returned back to a promotion as Leading Signalman 11th June 1889, then promoted to 2nd Yeoman of Signals on 7th December 1889.
Served until shore pensioned as that rating on 20th June 1892.
Returned as a reservist, HMS Vivid I, 12th Jan 1901 – 31st Dec 1901
HMS Triumph, 1st Jan 1902 – 13th July 19023
HMS Temeraire, 14th July 1902 – 5th July 1903
20th July 1903 – 31st December 1903
1st Jan 1902 – 12th June 1904
HMS Indus II, 27th June 1905 – 1st May 1905.
Around this time he had turned 50 years old so seems to have fulfilled his obligation.
Following his retirement he remained in Plymouth, Devon and is shown there as a Naval Pensioner on the 1911 (This records him as a Ship Cleaner and Labourer HM Dockyard) and 1921 Census.
He died in Plymouth during 1939 aged about 85.
His arrival on the Tamar to join HMS Nelson in Australia was recorded in the history of the ship service in Australia up to 1885:
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-578176589/view?partId=nla.obj-578184898#page/n62/mode/1up
The morning of the 10th was one of some excitement in the fleet, for every moment it was expected that H.M.S. “Tamar,” with relief crews for the “Nelson,” “Diamond,” “Undine,” “Harrier,” and “Lark” would arrive.
As the day wore on, the interest increased until 2’30, when in the afternoon the signal went up. Men could be seen watching the signal station with evident anxiety as they went about their work, and when the flag was seen the news spread in a few moments all over the ships, and every heart was glad. “The ‘ Tamar’s’ coming !” “The ‘Tamar’ is coming!’ was on every lip. At length she appeared in sight and rounded Bradley’s Head, and then the excitement became intense, and standing on the fore-bridge of the “ Nelson” one could take in the whole scene.
Every ship’s forecastle and poop was crowded, and in the “Nelson” all hands were “piped” to “knock off work to see the
‘Tamar’ come in.” Up the harbour she came, and passed close to the “Nelson,” and we were able to get a good view of her and the great sea of 1,000 eagar faces which crowded on her decks. The “Nelson” Band played a cheerful welcome, and the Band on the “ Tamar” struck up “Wait till the clouds roll by.” She anchored astern of the “Nelson,” and formed a charming addition to the Squadron then in Farm Cove.
On the 14th January the “ Nelsons,” 43 officers and 261 men, turned over to the “ Tamar,” to leave in a few days on their passage to Old England with the crews of the other ships which were relieved. Many will look back to the Australian Commission with great pleasure, and when settled again in “ Home, sweet Home,” will have abundance to tell about the land of the sunny south. Some of the “ Nelson’s” and other ships’ people have taken unto themselves wives from the daughters of the land. We wish them all possible joy and happiness.
May God speed the good ship “Tamar” on her way, and grant to all she bears to “Merrie England” a joyous meeting with their friends and relatives.
One officer and 95 men remain behind for the Second Commission.”
