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Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal: CM.1305-2009

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An image of Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Artist: Wyon, William
Mint: London
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
State: United Kingdom
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

A Naval Long Service Medal was instituted by King William IV in 1831, the year after that for the Army; when Queen Victoria succeeded that issue was for a while continued, but the medal was updated, with new designs by William Wyon, in 1848. To earn it a sailor had to have twenty years' service to his credit, although some had amassed rather more by the time of their discharge.
This medal was not in the earliest batch struck in 1848, which bore that date in the exergue. It does however have the broad suspender of the early issues, which was later replaced.
This medal was awarded to Private John Lea of the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines, for 21 years' service. He received a gratuity of 5 pounds from the Queen. Lester Watson acquired his medal at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, acquired before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.4 mm
Weight: 34.95 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1841 - 1874

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Full-rigged ship at sea in circle of rope

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1305-2009
Primary reference Number: 141399
Watson Catalogue: 208
Ordering: M-0188
Previous object number: LW.0188

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

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The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141399 Accessed: 2025-12-05 17:19:46

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141399 |title=Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 17:19:46|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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