BOSUN’S MATE (LATER PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS) J. LYNCH, HMS TURQUOISE, ROYAL NAVY. India General Service Medal 1854, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (officially named, impressed in serifed capital letters: J. LYNC(H) (BOSUN’S) MAT(E) (H.M.)S. TURQUOIS(E)).

BOSUN’S MATE (LATER PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS) J. LYNCH, HMS TURQUOISE, ROYAL NAVY.

India General Service Medal 1854, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (officially named, impressed in serifed capital letters: J. LYNC(H) (BOSUN’S) MAT(E) (H.M.)S. TURQUOIS(E)).

Attempted erasure of surname, partially obscuring naming details (as indicated), the “H” of surname, “BOSUN’S”, “E” OF “MATE”, “H.M.” OF “H.M.S.” AND “E” OF “TURQUOISE” indistinct / unreadable, however initial “J”, the letters “LYNC” of Lynch and the letters “TURQUOIS” of Turquoise still readable, scattered small rim nicks and edge bruises, otherwise Good Very Fine and the Burma 1885-7 clasp scarce to the Royal Navy.

Medal accompanied by extract birth and baptism records, 2 pages of copied service papers and copied medal roll (confirming medal and clasp)

John Lynch was born and baptised in Morston, Norfolk, 3/5/1852. He enlisted into the Royal Navy, initially for 10 years service, on 3/5/1870. Lynch served aboard HMS Turquoise as a Bosun’s Mate during the Burma operations of 1885-87. He also saw service during the Suakin operations of 1884-85 (also entitled Egypt Medal 1882-89, undated reverse, without clasp). Lynch twice extended his period of service with the Royal Navy, and was eventually pensioned from the Royal Navy on 31/12/1895.

British Battles and Medals records a total of 625 Burma 1885-7 clasps to the Royal Navy, including 139 to HMS Turquoise.

Lynch’s place of birth is given as “Marston” in his service records, but this is clearly a mis-spelling, his baptism record record him as having been baptised in Morston.

Marston is actually an area of marshland in Norfolk, whereas Morston is a coastal port in Norfolk. In the 17th century Morston was a major port, but today is only used by fishing boats and leisure craft. Morston had a populationof 86 in the 2001 census and still had a population of less than 100 in the 2011 census.