Beschreibung:

A Fine Crimean Campaign Group of 3 awarded to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Matthew Charles Symonds, GCB, Captain of HMS Arethusa during the Bombardment of Fort Constantine at Sebastopol, comprising: Crimea Medal, 1854-56, single clasp, Sebastopol (Capn T. M. C. Symonds. H. M. S. Arethusa), Turkish Crimea Medal, 1855, British Issue (Capt: T. M. C. Symons. R. N. H. M. S. Arethusa), Order of Medjidie, 3rd class, in silver, with gold and enamels; the first two privately engraved in upright capitals, and with silver claw suspension and reverse pin for wear, latter unnamed as issued, group loose. The first well-toned, group extremely fine overall and a rare group to an Admiral of the Fleet. (3) Sir Thomas Matthew Symonds GCB, was born on the 31st of October 1811, the second son of Rear Admiral Sir William Symonds. He entered the Royal Navy on the 25th of April 1825, at the age of 13, and obtained his first commission as Lieutenant on the 5th of November 1832. His service in the Mediterranean, East Indies and North America stations saw him promoted to Commander on the 21st of August 1837, and to Captain on the 22nd of February 1841. The key event of his career took place in 1852, where he was placed in charge of the new 50-gun frigate HMS Arethusa. He was ordered to the Black Sea in 1854 as part of the Crimean War, and after having served for a short time under Flag Captain to Sir Edmund Lyons, in HMS Agamemnon (being mentioned in despatches), he was Captain of HMS Arethusa (50) during the bombardment of Fort Constantine, one of two forts guarding the harbour at Sebastopol, on the 7th of October 1854. At the siege of Fort Constantine, the Arethusa was brought into action by the steamer Triton, and upon arrival near the heavy stone fort she fired broadside after broadside, in return being ‘hulled in all directions’ and heavily damaged by shot from the Wasp and Telegraph shore batteries, later requiring assistance reaching Constantinople for repair to avoid being sunk. Such was the bombardment, that the Russian forces sank a number of their own ships to prevent entrance by the British and Allied ships. In this bombardment she suffered eighteen killed and wounded, and five wounded belonging to the Triton, whose crew were assisting the gun-teams. He received the CB on the 5th of July 1855, KCB on the 13th of March 1867, and GCB on the 23rd of April 1880. He retired after 56 years’ service on the 31st of October 1881, and died at Torquay on the 14th of November 1894. This medal sold by order of an indirect family relation, with a quantity of useful research including extract taken from O’Byrne’s Naval Biographical Dictionary. The medal belonging to the recipient’s father are to be found in lot 21