About the product

Royal Navy LSGC Wide Suspension RMLI

Royal Navy LSGC, Wide Suspension, Henry Millington, Royal Marines Light Infantry, for 21 years service. Served in Baltic during Crimean War, later China 1870-4, put down a Mutiny on his ship.

Out of stock

Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, Wide Suspension, Henry Millington, Royal Marines Light Infantry, for 21 years service. Served in Baltic during Crimean War, later China 1870-4.

 

Officially engraved: “Hy Millington Pte 19th Co R.M.L.I. 21 Yrs.”

 

Only other medal earned was a Baltic which would be unnamed and can easily be sourced for display.

 

An excellent example, well preserved condition with little wear and light contacting, with full copy service records.

 

Private Henry Millington, 19th Company Royal Marines Light Infantry.

 

Born in Abberton, Pershore, Worcester.

 

Attested for service with the Royal Marines on 18h May 1853 aged 19 at Birmingham.

 

“He is in possession of 5 good conduct badges, the last dated 20th May 1874.

Served in the Baltic in 1854, Is in possession of a Baltic Medal.

Has received the distinguishing medal For Long Service and Good Conduct, 1874.”

 

Discharged on 3rd December 1874, having recently been awarded this Long Service Medal on 3rd December 1874.

 

Out of his 21 years 198 days of service, 16 years 202 days were “Afloat”.

 

Conduct on discharge: “Exemplary”, his ship’s conduct was noted as Very Good and never did he drop below that rating.

 

Highlights of his career:

 

Shortly after enlistment he joined HMS Monarch from 1854-1858, during which part he took part in the campaign in the Baltic Seas during the Crimean War.

This ship was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Bruce, the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Station at Petropaulovski during the War.

 

Later during 1856, he was on board when off Acapulco, she was struck by lightning, “The uninitiated thought the masts and sails were on fire, which was only the phosphorous playing there, as the grand flash proceeded.” Thanks to Sir William Harris’s new system for protecting vessels from lightning strikes, and there were no casualties.

 

THE MUTINY OF HMS JAMES WATT, MARINES DEPLOYED TO END IT

 

“MUTINY IN MALTA HARBOUR – A Malta Paper says that a serious disturbance, if not mutiny, has taken place on board her Majesty’s ship James Watt, in Malta Harbour.

The Affair had been kept as quiet as possible; but it appears that on the night of the 16th ult., when the Captain, Commander, 1st Lieut, and Officer of Marines were out of the ship, intimation was received that the ship’s company were in a state of mutiny, smashing their mess traps, throwing shot about, and insulting their officers.

 

The gunner was hit across the loins with a marling spike, and was said to be still suffering from the injury received.

It is reported that two officers jumped overboard, and were picked up by a Maltese Boat.

It was not until the Marines were ordered to clear the lower deck that order was restored.”

 

HMS SPARROW 1863-66 SAVING FRENCH SHIPS ON THE COAST OF AFRICA

 

From 1863 to 1866, he spent 3 years in the West Coast of Africa on board HMS Sparrow, during this time the ship was recorded as having saved a number of vessels from sinking.

 

Also in around April 1863, the Sparrow sent a Boat to board and inspect the Portuguese ship Zouave, which caused a large commotion between the Portuguese and British Government, Earl Russell, having to submit numerous letters of apology and clarification back and forth with the Portuguese authorities, the British asserting it was believed they were engaging in the transport of slaves, and at one point the Portuguese crew were found to be: “Their remarks and behaviour were most provoking, so much so that one time he feared it might be necessary from him to call his men out of his boat to prevent him being interrupted in the performance of his duty.”

 

Army and Navy Gazette, 14th May 1864, recalls rescuing some French ships in the region:

 

“Sparrow, 5, screw steam-gunvessel, Commander the Hon EGL Cochrane, was at Ascension by the latest advices.

This little craft has saved several ships in distress during the short time she has been on the station, and we are glad to learn that one amongst them has been recognised by the French government, who have forwarded through the Admiralty, a magnificent pair of marine binocular glasses a testimonial of their appreciation of the energy displayed by Commander Cochrane in saving the Lucy, a French vessel, from being wrecked.

 

Another vessel, named the Annie Whitburn, was towed off by the Sparrow, having been 3 days hard and fast on the shore, about 12 miles below Lagos.”

 

4 YEARS STATIONED IN CHINA AND JAPAN

 

From 1870-4, he was sent to China and Japan, where he served almost 4 years with the “Royal Marine Battalion China”.

 

“The Government has promised the early despatch of a Marine Battalion to China, and the Admiral at that station and Mr Wade have been empowered, in case of need, to order from Japan or Hong Kong, a detachment of Infantry for the special protection of Shanghai.”

 

“The Detachment of the Chatham division of the Royal Marines which is to form part of the Battalion for service in China and Japan left headquarters 24th October. They embarked at the Dockyard on board the Locust, Paddle wheel steamer, which took them to Sheerness, where they embarked on board the Juno, 6, Capt JKE Baird. The Detachment consisted of Major CW Burton, Lieut CFS Fagan, Lieut B. St Leger Denny and 70 of all ranks.

The Juno has now proceeded to Plymouth to take on board the remainder of the battalion from the division there.”