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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 356

A superb early Victorian lifesaving group of five awarded to Chief Boatman in Charge J. Blewitt


Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp Sebastopol, unnamed as issed; Baltic 1856, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R. (John Blewitt Chief Btmn in Chge H.M. Coast Gd.); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian Issue; France, Republic, Ministerre de La Marine et Des Colonies, large silver medal, the reverse embossed 'A John Bluett Marin Anglais Services Rendus A La Marine Marchande Francaise 1866', some contact marks, overall very fine (5)

John Blewitt, also spelled Blewett, was born at Mousehole, Cornwall in 1827 and enlisted on 12 March 1848 with the service number 27503. Posted to the Battleship Brittania on 5 December 1851 he was serving with her as Coxwain of the Pinnace while she served at the Bombardment of Sebastopol in 1854. She was driven ashore in bad weather the next year and Blewitt was transferred to the Duke of Wellington, then serving in the Baltic as Coxwain of the Cutter. Promoted 2nd Captain of the Foretop on 29 August 1855 he transferred to the Coastguard in 1861 as Boatman.

Blewitt served for some time with the Coastguard being promoted as far as Chief Boatman in Command in 1875. Research papers with the group confirm that it was previously sold with an R.N.L.I. testimonial which stated 'In admiration of his gallant & persevering conduct in the St Ives Lifeboat in rescuing, after the lifeboat had been twice upset, 4 out of 5 of the crew of the Brig Providence of Granville which was wrecked on the Hayle Bar in a strong wind & heavy ground sea on the 28th Oct 1865'; sold together with copied service papers and research including a former dealer's description as well as a copied photograph of the recipient leading cutlass drill while wearing his full medal entitlement.

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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£320