Description
Crimea Medal 1854-6, 2 bars, Sebastopol, Inkermann, Able Seaman William Harmey Morden, HMS Trafalgar, Royal Navy, with the Naval Brigade at Inkermann and Siege of Sebastopol.
Contemporarily engraved: “Wm Morden, A.B. H.M.S. Trafalgar”
Confirmed on the medal roll for the Medal, and also the Naval Brigade rolls for both clasps, Inkermann and Sebastopol.
Medal issued to him on the Glatton on 26th March 1856.
Professional period engraving believed to be the work of E&E Emanuel of Portsmouth.
With Copy Service Papers.
William Harmey Morden was born on 7th June 1830 in Swanage, Dorset.
Son of James and Ann Morden.
As a boy, he worked as Sea, becoming an Apprentice to the Merchant Navy on 10th May 1847.
After some sea experience he chose to join the Royal Navy.
First entered the Royal Navy at HMS Trafalgar serving from 14th July 1851 until April 1855.
Of which “Trenches before Sebastopol from 4th October 1854 to 14th January 1855”
HMS Glatton 6th May 1855 – 19th March 1856
The Glatton was a curious ship, being an Ironclad Floating Battery “Coastal Attack Vessel”, not a typical sailing vessel, the British plant to use these terrifying vessels against Russian in the Baltic Sea against Kronstadt in 1856 was influential in causing the Russians to sue for peace. Being Ironclad they were precursors to the upcoming Ironclad Warships of the coming years.
HMS Resistance, 20th March 1856 – 9th October 1856
HMS Excellent, 10th October 1856 – 31st December 1856, then 1st Jan 1856 – 6th June 1852
HMS Terrible, 7th June 1858 – 4th February 1862, during this time promoted to Leading Seaman & Coxswain of the Launch
HMS Excellent, 5th Feb 1862 – 28th July 1862
HMS Pembroke, 29th July 1862, joined the Coast Guard as a Boatman.
He remained in the service of the Coast Guard, becoming a Commissioned Boatman.
Retiring to pension on 23rd September 1874.
He later died in Leyton, Essex during 1901.
