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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 145

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (P. Coleman, Lg. Sto. 1 Cl., H.M.S. St. George.), good very fine

Patrick Coleman was born at Passage Road, Cork on 15 March 1857, entering the Royal Navy on 21 January 1878 as Stoker Class II. He saw considerable service, being advanced Stoker Class I with H.M.S. Encounter on 1 May 1881. Further advanced Leading Stoker on 1 April 1890 he joined St. George on 25 October 1894 and was still with her in 1896 when she was involved in the Ango-Zanzibar War.

She was targeted by the Zanzibari yacht Glasgow but swiftly returned fire, sinking the unarmoured and lightly armed vessel. Not long after this St. George joined the Benin Expedition with her entire crew receiving the medal and clasp for their service, this makes it hard to tell whether Coleman saw service ashore or not. He continued to serve until 3 May 1898 when he was finally pensioned. Seeing brief service with the Royal Fleet Reserve Coleman was discharged due to age on 15 March 1907.

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Sold for
£220

Starting price
£100