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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 105

Baltic 1854-55 (H. T. Gammell. Lieut. R.N. H.M.S. Ajax), unofficially engraved in upright capitals and mounted upon a three-pronged silver riband buckle, together with an Edinburgh Academy Homer Medal, silver (Harcourt T. Gammell, Classis Quintae, Dux, MDCCCXLIII), both contained within a bespoke fitted leather case, the top lid tooled in gilded letters stating 'Medals of Capt H. T. Gammell R.N.', traces of old lacquer, good very fine

Harcourt Thomas Gammell, third son of Captain James Gammell, was born at Beech Hill, County Down, on 29 April 1829. In the early 1830s the family relocated to Edinburgh and young Harcourt attended Edinburgh Academy from 1838-43 where, in his final year, he was awarded the school's Homer Medal in silver. Destined for a life at sea, Gammell entered the Royal Navy immediately after leaving Edinburgh Academy (September 1843) and six years later was appointed a Mate aboard H.M.S. Excellent, the gunnery training vessel at Portsmouth Dockyard. Promoted Lieutenant in November 1853, he was next posted to the 74-gun H.M.S. Ajax, and as a member of her ship's company saw action in the Baltic at the Bombardment of Bomarsund in August 1854.

Further postings to various other vessels followed over the next 20 years, but with the general peace throughout Europe in the wake of the Crimean War men such as Gammell had little opportunity to distinguish themselves - indeed, he unfortunately did exactly the opposite and was officially admonished when, as Officer of the Watch, the 100-gun H.M.S. Conqueror ran aground and was wrecked off the Bahamas - thankfully without loss of a single life. Promoted Commander in 1869, Gammell retired in 1874 and was further advanced Retired Captain in 1884. He and his wife Lucy resided mostly in the West Country, around Bath and Weston-super-Mare, and inherited the vast sum of £40,000 when his father died in 1893. Harcourt Gammell himself died on 25 September 1904 and was clearly a well-regarded local figure in the community, with the Bristol Times and Mirror noting in his obituary of 1 October that year: 'The deceased, who formerly served on H.M.S. Hector, will be greatly missed by the poor of the town, as he was ever ready with his purse to help any deserving case.' The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of 29 September 1904 further notes: 'His friends in Bath will hear with regret of the death of Captain Harcourt Gammell R.N....he entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14, going direct to sea, as in those days there were no training ships. His period of service was 35 years, during which he was with the Baltic Fleet in what is known as the Crimean War, and for services then rendered he received the silver medal. He took no part in public affairs, but in private life he was a liberal donor, and by his demise a large number have lost a generous friend'...

For the medals of his father, Captain James Gammell see Lot 104; for the medals of a brother, Captain William Gammell, see Lot 106; and for the medals of his son Sergeant Kensington Gammell, see Lot 107.

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Estimate
£200 to £300

Starting price
£160