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Auction: 1025 - The Turl Collection of Naval General Service Medals 1793 - 1840
Lot: 20

Naval General Service 1793-1840, one clasp Trafalgar (John Bradburn.), minor edge bruising, therefore very fine Estimate £ 5,000-6,000 John Bradburn served as Landsman in H.M.S. Swiftsure during the major fleet action off Cape Trafalgar between the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral P.C. de Villeneuve, 21.10.1805. At Trafalgar the Swiftsure was in the lee column, ´she engaged the French Achille, which in about forty minutes, having had her mizen-mast and foreyard shot away, and having caught fire, ceased firing, and waved a Union Jack at her starboard cathead; she afterwards blew up. The Swiftsure had her own mizen-topmast shot away and the mizen-mast badly damaged, and lost seventeen killed and wounded, including a midshipman. After the battle she took in tow the French 74, Redoubtable, one of the prizes; but when the latter was found to be sinking, the Swiftsure cut herself loose. It was a dreadful night of wind, rain, and lightning, but she sent her boats and succeeded in saving 170 of the Redoubtable´s crew, but five of her own men unfortunately went down in the wreck.´ (The Trafalgar Roll, The Officers, The Men, The Ships, Colonel R.H. Mackenzie refers) John Bradburn, born Bury; joined the Royal Navy April 1800, and served as Landsman in H.M.S. Dragon from the following month; joined the Swiftsure as Ordinary Seaman, September 1804, and was borne on the Ship´s Books as an Able Seaman for the Battle of Trafalgar; Bradburn reached Petty Officer status when made Yeoman of the Sheets, July 1810; he left the service in April 1811. Provenance: Glendining March 1973 and September 1990

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£5,500