Royal Marines Museum Saves Rare Marines Trafalgar Medal For The Nation

By Tara Booth

22/10/2008

A rare medal, awarded to a Royal Marine who lay wounded alongside Nelson at Trafalgar, has been saved for the nation by the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea, and the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

The Naval General Service Medal with Trafalgar clasp was awarded to Lieutenant Reeve in 1849.

Serving on board HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, on October 21 1805, Lieutenant Reeve sustained serious injuries and was laid next to the mortally wounded Nelson and attended to by Mr Beatty, Nelson’s surgeon.

“The National Heritage Memorial Fund saves objects of national importance in memory of those who have given their lives for this country,” said Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

A silver medal with a blue and white clasp.

The Naval General Service Medal with Trafalgar clasp presented to Lt Reeve. © Royal Marines Museum

		The Muster list of Royal Marines on board HMS Victory at Trafalgar, recorded by Lt Reeve and on show at the Royal Marines Museum. © Royal Marines Museum

“This medal is a rare reminder of the role played by a Royal Marines Officer, only one of four on board Victory, alongside Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.”

The National Heritage Memorial Fund contributed £28,000 to the cost and the medal was purchased for £41,000.

Lieutenant Reeve recovered from his injuries and fought in Senegal in 1809 against the French and served on board the HMS Minerva. He retired in 1817 and died at Douglas, the Isle of Man, in 1861, aged 75.

The medal is now on show at in the Royal Marines Museum’s Trafalgar exhibition.

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Royal Marines Museum

Bristol


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