Lot 60
Captain Douglas-Morris R.N. ‡
Clandestine Operations - Inc The D.J. Croll Medal Collection & Other Properties | M26002
Auction: 16 September 2026 at 10.30 BST
Description
The Naval General Service Medal, with 5 clasps, to William Savage comprising Naval General Service Medal, 1793-1840, five clasps, 1 June 1794, 23rd June 1795, St Vincent, Nile, Basque Roads, (William Savage), fine (1)
However, included with the medal is a typed letter from K.J. Douglas-Morris, Captain. R.N. dated 27th of October 1973 stating-
Now to come directly to your Medal with 5 clasps to a William Savage.
I believe that I am probably the best man to consult on N.G.S. Medals in particular, since I posses a unique Card Index system on them, which I admit will still take some years to complete, - but it serves a useful purpose for me even now. I believe if I use it in your case, it may well save you some money in the long run.
You will appreciate that researchers can only give facts on a “Name” – we cannot tell you anything about the Medal unless we actually view it. As far as I know I am the only collector/researcher and numismatist on Naval Medals, so I have a considerable interest in the narrow subject upon them.
The unofficial N.G.S. Medal Roll shows that a William Savage was entitled to a two clasp medal. Boat Service, 17th March 1794 (as Ord Vengeance) and Nile (as an A.B. in Zealous).
It is also a fact that two other NGS Medals were issued with the name of (other) William Savage (s) on them. Both are common and could have been subjected to a fiddle. One was for Navarino and the other for Syria (as you know).
I trust you are aware that at least two men have played naughty tricks with NGS Medals and their clasps. The first man played in the 1890 to?1910 period mainly with the clasps, - the second man was wicked in the 1930’s, by playing with re-naming in the main.
My card index system shows that the “Whaley” collection had in November 1877 a two clasp Medal to a Willaim Savage with the two clasps already mentioned as officially awarded, the “B.S.” and “Nile” clasps.
Since this particular Medal was known so early, I am forced to assume that it was the correct one which was given to the William Savage who was at the Nile. This “Whalley” Medal was sold in 1884, and I have no record of it since, up to 1945, which is as far as my card index system has reached to date.
On another card for William Savage, I see a single clasp “Boat Service 17th March 1794” was sold in October 1900 and sold again, (assuming it’s the same piece) in February 1902. I am sure you will agree that it is most unlikely that this medal was the “Whalley” one, ….just why should anyone remove the Nile clasp. I have to assume that it was a changed “Navarino” or Syria” medal.
On the 1st of May 1906, at an auction in London, a 5 clasp N.G.S. Medal with the name William Savage was sold. It was noted as having the Nile clasp but the other 4 were not named, presumably because they did not feature in the N.G.S Roll. It would not be improper to assume this is the Medal you now possess.
You will appreciate that I must charge a Fee, even if my information is not to the liking of the client, I only wish I could please everyone who writes to me. Perhaps I do, I seem to possess very loyal clients.
I normally make a charge of £1 per card used, but I am sure that a charge of £2-50 would be fairer, which is my usual fee for an hour’s work. This has taken me a good hour to glean, rough copy and type.
Your Sincerely K.J. Dougla-Morris. Captain RN.
The Medal was Sold in 1973 by Donald Hall Orders Decorations and Medals for £125 he wrote:
Savage’s 5 bar NGS is being sent by separate Air Mail. When purchasing this I took a gamble, as it looks perfectly genuine to me, and paid £125.00. I would accept money back if you were interested in the medal as it now stands. The alternative is to have it made into a two bar medal, which verifies and then ask more for the medal, but explaining the circumstances.
A NGS To William Savage Clasp Syria was sold by Christies in 1985
A NGS to William Savage Clasp Syria was sold by Spink on the 22nd of May 2025
Sold with research as above and other letters
