*British, 1848-1901, Royal Navy Long Service Good Conduct Medal - Queen Victoria, Thomas (S)Teel, E.R.A. (Engine Room Artificer) 1CL HMS Benbow*
Long Service Good Conduct Medal - Thomas (S)Teel, E.R.A. (Engine Room Artificer) 1CL HMS Benbow. 32mm ribbon, impressed engraving.
The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848) was awarded to regular members of His Majesty's Naval Service, replacing the 1830 version. Instituted by Queen Victoria, it initially required 21 years of unblemished service, reduced to ten years in 1874, and then set at fifteen years in 1884. The medal features Queen Victoria's effigy on the obverse, designed by Royal Mint chief engraver William Wyon, and an image of HMS Victory on the reverse. The details of the recipient were either engraved or, after 1877, impressed around the edge of the medal, the suspender was changed to a narrower width in 1875, to accept a new 32 millimetres (1¼ inches) wide ribbon. The King Edward VII version appeared after his succession to the throne on 22 January 1901.
HMS Benbow 1888
HMS Benbow, named after Admiral John Benbow, was an Admiral-class steel armoured battleship of the British Royal Navy. Built at the Thames Iron Works, Blackwall and completed for sea in 1888. It served in the Mediterranean Fleet until 1891, then as a reserve until 1894. It was a guardship at Greenock until 1904, and remained in reserve until sold in 1909.
Engine Room Artificer 1st Class
Engine Room Artificers (ERAs) were skilled technicians such as fitters, turners, boilermakers, coppersmiths, or enginesmiths. They worked under engineer officers, maintained and operated warship engines and boilers, and were the senior maintainers and operators of all mechanical plant on warships.
*Condition*
Good used condition. some pitting to the surface, commensurate with age. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
