Description
Ashantee Medal 1873-4, George Hay, A.B. H.M.S. Coquette, one of only 68 medal issued to this ship. From Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton. with copy Service Papers.
Officially engraved: “G. Hay, A.B, H.M.S. Coquette, 73-74”
Confirmed on the medal roll, one of only 68 medals issued to this ship, the second smallest issue, HMS Merlin having 62 issued.
George Hay, was born on 1st November 1850 in Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Scotland.
On his 18th Birthday, he attested for service for a term of 10 years in the Royal Navy, on 1st November 1868.
He saw service in HMS Coquette from 1st January 1873 until 28th February 1875.
Initially he was an “Ordinary Seaman” and during the period of the Ashantee war he was promoted to “A.B.” or Able Seaman on 1st July 1873.
Afterwards he served:
HMS Swiftsure, 1st March 1875 – 2nd Apr 1875
Royal Adelaide, 3rd April 1875 – 20th May 1875
HMS Britannia, 21st May 1875 – 12th March 1877
HMS Royal Adelaide, 13th March 1877 – 24th April 1877
HMS Wye, 25th April 1877 – 17th May 1877
HMS Argus, 18th May 1877 – 21st February 1879.
At first his services were noted on the Coquette as “V. Good” before dropping down to “Fair” for the remainder of his career, with a term or two in the Cells.
George had been born in Kirkintilloch, Dumbartonshire during 1850.
His father Robert was a Weaver from Glasgow, his mother Margaret and his siblings were all born in Kirkintilloch.
It was likely not the most enjoyable childhood in Kirkintilloch, the entire family working the local Cotton Mills, the 1861 Census noting a 12 year old George as working with his teenage brothers and 60 year old father all as “Hand Loom Cotton Weavers.”
