A Naval Service General Medal awarded to combatant Thomas Durnell for his efforts at the Battle of Trafalgar is to sell as part of a UK auction on February 20-21.
 JMW Turner's depiction of the 'Fighting Temeraire' was voted Britain's favourite painting in 2005 |
Durnell's medal, earned aboard the "Fighting Temeraire", is expected to sell for £12,000-16,000 ($18,883-25,186) as the top lot of the sale. Aside from HMS Victory, HMS Temeraire is one of the most famous ships to have fought at Trafalgar and is remembered in an 1838 painting by JMW Turner.
The Temeraire was a 98-gun, second class ship of the line, which was the second ship in Nelson's famous column at the battle. Under the command of Captain Elias Harvey, it was the first ship to break through the Franco-Spanish lines and was, therefore, bombarded with heavy cannon fire.
By the time the battle was over, the Temeraire had seen 47 of its crew killed and 76 wounded, although Durnell was not among them. He went on to serve aboard HMS Illustrious, where he fought during the Battle of Basque Roads in 1809 and the Invasion of Java in 1811.
Durnell's medal bears the clasps for both Java and Basque Roads, signifying three of the most important battles of the Napoleonic wars.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has an exciting opportunity for naval collectors - The Trafalgar Collection. Featuring wood from HMS Victory herself, a strand of hair from Lord Nelson's head, a piece of his handkerchief and a section of HMS Victory's flag, this limited edition piece is a must-have for any discerning Nelson collector.
See our full selection of Lord Nelson collectibles for sale.
