About the product

Baltic Named HMS Sphinx

Baltic Medal 1854-1855, contemporarily engraved in neat upright style: “W. Hunt. Gunner. HMS Sphinx.”

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SKU: J6380 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Description

Baltic Medal 1854-1855, contemporarily engraved in neat upright style: “W. Hunt. Gunner. HMS Sphinx.”

 

The only “W. Hunt” onboard was Boy 1st Class William Hunt, who was on his first ship posting of his naval career aged 17. He was not a Gunner rank at the time but possibly had his medal named later as his highest attained rank, he spent most of his later career as a Quarter Master.

 

Born in Hythe, Kent on 4th September 1836, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy on 2nd March 1854.

 

Served onboard HMS Sphinx from 2nd March 1854 until 2nd May 1857, during which time he went from Boy 2nd Class, to Boy 1st Class, then Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class.

 

By 1864 he had reached the rank of Quarter Master onboard HMS Victory, serving the rest of his career in that capacity onboard, HMS Victoria, Irresistible, Hector, Ocean, Hornet, Duke of Wellington and Asia, being discharged during 1874. He reappears as an A.B. on HMS Asia between 1875 and 1877.

 

Entitled to the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, issued circa 1874.

 

His digitised Service Papers: Click here for his service papers
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7535663