Full medal write up
NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793, CLASP NAVARINO ‘WILLIAM KEFFER.’
William Keffer/Heffer was born in Bridlesea, Essex circa 1794 and is first traced as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Genoa on 18 January 1827 (entered 19 April). He took part in the battle of Navarino on 20 October 1827 and was discharged to sick quarters at Plymouth Hospital on 24 January 1828, suffering from catarrh.. Here his origins are referred to in the ‘whence’ column as ‘Hospital/late Genoa/Smuggler’. Described as a Seaman and was part of the Supernumerary List. Keffer was discharged from the service on 25 January 1828, no reason given.
An 1981 OMRS article by Douglas-Morris on smugglers medals to a Richard Webb, gives a muster page for Genoa that like Webb, lists Keffer with a note below his rating of AB as ‘smuggler’. The article further notes how the Captain of Genoa had written to the Admiralty stating he had:
‘8 men on board for punishment as smugglers and having been given to understand that men under similar circumstances had their liberty on their arrival home from the battle of Algiers….begged most strongly that his detainees should receive similar consideration.. for their excellent and gallant conduct in the battle of 20th October 1827 at Navarino and their subsequent activity in refitting the ship, noting that on all occasions, their conduct has been exemplary’
On 19 January 1828 the Treasury agreed to the discharge of the smugglers who had served aboard Genoa at Navarino. Webb, the subject of the article, who was also, by coincidence was also sick in Plymouth Hospital, was discharged on 1 February 1828, less than a week after Keffer.
Douglas-Morris goes on to list 10 smugglers and 3 poachers who received the Algiers Clasp, 7 who received the Army of India with Ava clasp and 7 who received the Navarino clasp. Rather bizarrely, Keffer was omitted from the list, despite appearing on the muster page in the article. However, the muster page and other research show Keffer to have been admitted in error.
Condition NEF, attractive patina. Sold with copy research, including log for Genoa for the period of the battle of Navarino, copy medal roll, dispatch from Admiral Codrington, muster for Genoa, OMRS article and other research.