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IGS Pegu Boy HMS Rattler

India General Service Medal 1854, bar Pegu, Benjamin Bascombe, Boy, HMS Rattler, also served in the 2nd China War on HMS Volcano. Seamen since 13 years old, only 15 in the Anglo Burmese War.

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SKU: J7167 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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India General Service Medal 1854, bar Pegu, Benjamin Bascombe, Boy, HMS Rattler, also served in the 2nd China War on HMS Volcano.

 

Officially impressed: Benjn Bascomb. Boy. “Rattler”, some contact marking from wear over a long career, and alongside his unnamed China 1856-60 medal.

 

With a comprehensive file of research.

 

Benjamin Smith Bascombe, or Baskcomb, was born in Woolwich, kent on 15th May 1836, to Thomas and Charloote Baskomb.
At the young age of only 13 years old, he attested for service with the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard HMS Fisgard on 20th February 1850.

 

He saw further service:
HMS Rattler, from 4th September 1851, only 14 years old.

 

HMS Rattler served throughout the Anglo Burmese War of 1852-3, when young Benjamin was about 15-16 years old.

 

The official despatches, from Commander Fellows, Commanding Officer of HMS Rattler in the Pegu Operations, show casualties sustained by the ship’s company in the action of 4th August 1855 in which 9 War Junks mounting 130 guns of varying sizes and 9 small trading junks were all captured.
The War Junks were destroyed by burning as were the 2 trading Junks. 2 Men were killed and 7 wounded from the Rattler, the pirates lost no less than 500 men, the shell and grape shot from the British Ship’s guns and musketry from the Marines rained heavily upon the enemy even as they stood still fighting with their guns with “unusual firmness”

 


HMS Cressy, Ordinary Seamen, 18th June 1856
HMS Princess Charlotte, A.B., 15th May 1857
HMS Volcano, 22nd January 1858, Service in the 2nd China War. (unnamed medal issued)
HMS Arrogant, 29th August 1859,
HMS Cumberland, 7th December 1872
HMS Royal Oak, 1st May 1863,
HMS Excellent, 3rd November 1864,
HMS Herclues, 1st Nov 1858
HMS Excellent, 4th September 1872

 

Discharged from service on 2nd June 1873, not entitled to a Naval Long Service and Good Conduct due a few infractions.

 

Once he was discharged he remained in Portsmouth with his wife Harriet, shown on the various censuses as a Naval Pensioner, in 1891 he was shown as “Chapel Keeper, Baptist”, he died during 1921 in Portsmouth, aged 85.