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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 86

The Canada General Service Medal awarded to Captain R. H. Wellings, Royal Navy - who latterly joined the famous 1874 Expedition to observe the transit of Venus

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Mid. R. H. Wellings. H.M.S. Niger.), engraved naming, the clasp a later issue with flat backstrap, pawn broker’s mark to edge, good very fine

Richard Harriman Wellings was born in Ravenstone, Leicestershire on 17 August 1850, and having been appointed Midshipman in H.M.S. Niger and is confirmed as serving during the operations in Canada in 1866. She had previously touched at Havana, Cuba before making way to Jamaica where members of her crew may have taken part in suppressing the so-called Morant Bay Riot in October 1865. Their main share in the Fenian Raids was on Indian Island on 26 April 1866, when a small party of Fenians landed. Wellings and other men of the Niger transported local troops, Royal Marines from her own complement and also landed 'Bluejackets' of her own to oppose the force.

By March 1871 he was serving aboard the Scout and in 1874 he was lent to the astronomical expedition by British scientists to observe the 8 December transit of Venus at three separate observing sites in the Hawaiian Islands, then known as the Sandwich Islands. During that time he shared in the work on the Station at Waimea, Kauai, manned by Richard Johnson with assistance from Wellings. On the day of the main event, observation was confirmed by the pair some 7 minutes, 32.3 seconds before contact. The Waimea Station Journal gives the full report.

Wellings was promoted Lieutenant on 19 November 1877 and retired Captain. He died at Potwell House, Purbrook, Hampshire on 15 March 1913.

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Sold for
£750

Starting price
£210