China Medal 1842 clasps Fatshan 1857 & Canton 1857 named ***GEORGE C LEE HMS HYACINTH *****. Medal has been broached, different suspension, clasps no rods and edge bruises - see pictures.
George Charles Lee born in 5th April 1821 and entered the Royal Navy aged 12 years old as a Boy Sailor in July 1834 till 1837 onboard HMS Revenge. He is next on HMS Hyacinth till Nov 1842 with the rank Boy 1st Class and moved up to Ordinary Seaman and Able Seaman. This is when he earned his China 1842 medal.
Next he is onboard HMS Excellent Jan 1843 to Nov 1843 still as a able seaman and then HMS Star Nov 1843 to May 1847 as a Gunner's Mate. This ship did a lot of slave ship detaining, 3rd Feb 1844 detained slave schooner Nova Christina, 1st April 1844 detained Brazilian ship Maria and another ship on 30th Aug 1844 (name not known). 30th Jan 1845 detained Brazilian ship Cazuza and 8th Feb 1845 Brazilian ship Diligencia, Brazilian ship Vivo detained 11th Feb 1845. On 2nd April 1845 detained Brazilian ship Virginia alias Felicidade.
On 26th Mar 1845 detained Portuguese ship Audaz anchored at Lagos, 27th Mar 1845 detained Brazilian ship Rafael and 17th Apr 1845 detained Brazilian ship Minerva. 28th Jun 1845 detained Brazilian ship Mariquinha off lagos and 16th Jul 1845 detained Brazilian ship Fantasma. On 10 Oct 1845 detained ship Molembo equipped for slave trade but no crew and another ship name not known which was run aground by its crew who departed. The crew of HMS Star recovered the ship under gun fire from the former crew hiding in bush ashore, no casualties taken. 24th Oct 1845 detained a ship name not known but fully equipped for the slave trade.
Next he boards HMS Excellent May 1847 to Sept 1848 still a Gunners Mate, HMS Frolic Sept 1848 to Oct 1851 Gunners Mate. HMS Excellent Oct 1851 to Apr 1853, HMS Banshee Apr 1853 to Oct 1853, HMS Excellent briefly, HMS Rosamond Nov 1853 to Feb 1856 and took part in the Baltic Wars earning him a Baltic Medal as a Gunner 3rd Class.
HMS Basilisk briefly, HMS Excellent Mar 1856 to May 1856, HMS Elk May 1856 to Aug 1860 and this is where George earned his China Medal 1856 with clasps Fatshan 1857 & Canton 1857. This is where the Royal Navy breaks down he should have been issued a new China Medal 1856 (and returned his old China Medal 1842) with three clasps China 1842, Fatshan 1857 & Canton 1857 but the China Medal 1856 was never issued, only the two clasps Fatshan 1857 & Canton 1857 were sent to him (only 101 sailors where in both wars).
He next board HMS Excellent May 1860 to Dec 1860, HMS Amphion Dec 1860 to Dec 1862, HMS Excellent Dec 1862 to Jun 1863, HMS Indus June 1863 to Jan 1864, HMS Prince Consort Jan 1864 to Jan 1868, HMS Indus briefly, HMS Excellent Feb 1868 to Sep 1868, HMS Valiant Sep 1868 to Aug 1870, HMS Excellent Aug 1870 to Mar 1871, HMS Dauntless Mar 1871 to May 1874 and finally HMS Excellent May 1874 to May 1876 when he was pensioned off with 33 years service.