War Medals and Their HistorySteward, William Augustus
History
War Medals and Their History
Steward, William Augustus
Great Britain. Army -- Medals, badges, decorations, etc.; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Medals, badges, decorations, etc.
=Louisbourg, 1758.=--For the taking of Louisbourg on July 26th, 1753,
a medal was awarded to those who distinguished themselves upon land
under Generals Amherst and Wolfe, and at sea under Admiral Boscawen.
The Navy's participation in the affair was to attack and cut out the
two ships, the "Bienfaisant" of 64 guns, and "La Prudente" of 74
guns, which had been left for fighting purposes after some others had
been sunk to obstruct the entrance to the harbour. The boats from the
British fleet set out on their task at midnight on July 25th, cut the
cable under a heavy fire, and having boarded the ships proceeded to tow
them out. "La Prudente" grounded and had to be burned; but the smaller
vessel was successfully got out and added to the British fleet. The
medals, by T. Pingo, with rings for suspension, were struck in gold,
silver, and bronze. Four specimens of the gold medal are known to
exist--one which was in the Montague collection, another which was sold
at Sotheby's in 1895, and those awarded to Sir Alexander Schomberg,
great-grandfather of Lieutenant-Colonel Schomberg, R.M.L.I., and to
Senior Midshipman (afterwards Sir George) Young.
="The Glorious" 1st of June.=--The reign of George III produced a
long record of brilliant achievements by the British Navy. When he
ascended the throne, in October 1760, Britain was still at war with
France and continued to be so almost the whole time he reigned; but
it was not until "The Glorious" 1st of June 1794, when Admiral Lord
Howe gained his great victory off Ushant, that medals were awarded,
and a regulation medal instituted for naval services. Hearing that the
French fleet had sailed for Brest, Howe put to sea to meet it, and
having sighted the enemy on the morning of May 28th, gave chase. A
smart action ensued which was renewed next day; but heavy fog put an
end to fighting until the 31st. On June 1st both fleets prepared for
battle: the engagement commenced, and the French line was soon broken
in several places; but the French seamen fought with great courage. The
furious nature of the British attack, however, was too determined, and
the enemy sailed away, such of the ships as could, having 10 dismasted
and 7 taken by the English fleet, the "Vengeur" going down with 200 of
her crew as she was being towed away. The British Admiral's flagship,
the "Queen Charlotte," was badly injured, also the "Brunswick,"
"Defence," and "Marlborough." It is understood that the 2nd and
detachments of the 25th and 69th Foot served as Marines on board the
ships which fought on that glorious 1st of June.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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