Naval Blockade of the Baltic Ports

[Richard Miller]

Hi B-G Members

I am resurching the live of my great grandfather Rev. William Whitehall Garrett who was a Naval Chaplain and served on board H.M.S. Pylades between May 1855 and Dec 1855. HMS Pylades was a steam screw corvette of 350 HP, launched on 23 Nov 1853 in Sherness, Kent (20 Guns), and was with the Baltic Fleet sent to blockade the Northern Russian Ports during the Crimean War from 1855-1856. (Captain was Edwin C.T. D'Eyncourt, Master was William H. Sharp, Surgeon was Henry Edmonds M.D. William Whitehall Garrett joined this ship on 05 Apr 1855.

I am interested in particular to know whether my great grandfather would have been awarded campaign medals during this campaign and others he served in during his 12 years at sea with the royal navy from 1855 to 1867, or whether as a Naval Chaplain he wouldn't have been eligible to receive any campaign medals.

Any help to enlarge my knowledge of this campaign or locate any pictures artistic or photographic would be gratefully appreciated.

Regards

Richard

[neil1821]

He was certainly entitled to the Baltic Medal....in fact I have him confirmed on my copy of the medal roll, Chap. Rev. W.W.Garrett, HMS Pylades

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/baltic_medal_1854.htm

As to other possible medals, really depends where he served/what ships he served on.

[Richard Miller]

Hi Neil

Thanks for your reply. Could you let me know if there any websites which give Royal Navy Medal rolls.

My great grandfather Rev. William Whitehall Garrett's Service with the Royal Navy as Chaplain and Naval Instructor between 1855 and 1871 is as follows:-

1. H.M.S. Pylades a steam screw corvette W.W.Garrett joined this ship on 05 Apr 1855; HMS Pylades returned to Portsmouth in DEC 1855 and was sent out again to the Baltic in 1856 and then to the "North American and West Indies Station".
2. H.M.S. Eurydice a 6th Rate launched on 16 Apr 1843 sent to the "North American & West Indies Stations" from 1856-1857 I could find no corroboratory evidence from the Navy Lists to back this information obtained from Crockford's Clerical directory that W.W. Garrett was on board this ship.
3. H.M.S. Furious a steam sloop altered to become a paddle wheeled steam frigate in 1852. W.W. Garrett joined this ship on 12 Mar 1857 and served on board until 1860.
On this ship W.W.G. saw action during the Trade Wars with China at the bombardment of Canton in 1857 and at the blockade of the Tacu forts near Tientsin on the Peiho river in 1858.
During the time he was an officer with HMS Furious W. W. Garrett sailed with this vessel when it was used by the 8th Lord Elgin, Plenipotentiary (i.e. British Ambassador), as his base whilst visiting China and Japan and returned home via the newly opened Suez Canal in 1859.
Renowned artists and photographers of the time were on board to record these events, including Colonel Crealock, Captain Dodwell R.N., Signor Felice Beato, Robert Morrison and Jocelyn.
4. H.M.S. Scout, a steam screw corvette W.W.Garrett (B.A.) from 12 Aug 1860 also then on the "East Indies and China Station". According to the Navy lists this ship was ordered home on 20 Dec 1862, but still had WWG recoded as an officer on board until 20 Mar 1865.
5. H.M.S. Valourous a paddlewheel steam frigate. Somewhat confusingly given the dates for H.M.S. Scout, W.W.G. (M.A.) Chaplain and Naval Instructor from 28 Jun 1864 posted to the "East Indies and China Station" and then to the "Cape of Good Hope Station", and then ordered home in Jun 1867. 6. H.M.S. St. Vincent a "First Rate line of battle ship" (similar to H.M.S. Victory) launched 11 Mar 1815, which was based in Portsmouth Harbour and was being used as a training vessel for boys. W.W.Garrett Chaplain and Naval Instructor from 19 Oct 1867. WW Garrett retired from the Navy in 1871 and took up the life of a land based clergyman.

I am also keen to find info on the RAF Medal Rolls as my father Sgt Stanley Geroge Goodey served as an Air Gunner in bombers during WW2 completing approx. 11 missions over Germany between April and June 1942 before being shot down and being taken POW until being repatriated in 1945.

Many thanks for your help

Regards

Richard

[neil1821]

"Could you let me know if there any websites which give Royal Navy Medal rolls."
None that I know of, sorry.

It sounds probable from what you've said that he was also a recipient of the 2nd China War Medal, but I don't have the Naval rolls so I can't confirm.

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/second_china_war_medal.htm

[crimea1854]

Hi Richard

I can confirm that the William Garrett, Chaplain & Naval Instructor, HMS Furious, Ships No.5, is on the 2nd China Meda Roll. He was entitled to the Canton 1857 and Taku Forts 1860 clasps.

Regards

Martin

[Richard Miller]

Hi Neil and Martin

Thanks for your help with my research.

Regards

Richard