Naval General Service Medal for sale with a 'Banda Neira' clasp. The Naval General Service Medal awarded to William Brown, HMS Barracouta. Complete with ribbon and fine Victorian silver buckle.

Condition report: The Naval General Service Medal in excellent condition, some light service wear, but free from dents or other damage. Obverse and reverse of the disc clear and free from excessive wear or polishing. Naming  clear. Silk ribbon showing light age commensurate with the medal, likewise the Victorian silver buckle. 

Note: The Banda Neira clasp is particularly rare - just 68 clasps were awarded in 1848.

Notes regarding Banda Neira: Banda Neira was once the global center of the trade in nutmeg and mace, as the Bandas Islands were the only source of these valuable spices until the mid-19th century. The French occupied the Netherlands, and as a consequence, the Netherlands East Indies werea threat to British interests. It was decided to eliminate this threat by occupying the islands of Ambon, Banda Neira, and Java. On 10th May, Captain Christopher Cole set sale from Madras aboard the HMS Caroline, flanked by Piedmontaise, Barracouta and the Mandarin, to Banda Neira. Hoping to arrive into the harbour undetected, they were sighted, and an artillery bombardment followed. Cole's vessels fired back, and eventaully managed to dock, allowing their troops to invade the island. Cole managed to capture the island. To commemorate the action, the captains of Piedmontaise, and Barracouta offered Captain Cole a silver cup. Officers from the ships also gave Cole a sword worth 100 guineas.

Notes on William Brown: Bron in Scarborough, Yorkshire in 1789, Brown started in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman, was promted to Able Seaman. Further promotions included, Captain of the Main Top, and Captain of the After Guard. Brown was wounded in action during the assualt on Banda Neira. After the action he was shipped back to Madras where he had his arm amputated. Brown was then discharged from service and shipped back to England.

Further notes: According to the Colin Message Roll, only two William Brown medals are recorded. William Brown, Banda Neira. William brown, Trafalgar. Within the last ten years, only three Banda Neira medals are known to have sold on the open market.

Provenance: Ex-W.J.Loxley Collection, Glendinings October 1949, Glendinnings, December 1991, London Medals August 2012. Research file included in the sale.