Ashantee Medal 1873-1874, clasp Coomassie, awarded to Leading Seaman H. Cannell, Royal Navy who saw service in West Africa during the Ashantee War of 1873 to 1874 and at the capture of Coomassie on 4th February 1874 being 1 of 116 men of HMS Active to receive the clasp for Coomassie. He would later go on to see service with the Coastguard attaining the rank of Commissioned Boatman.
Ashantee Medal 1873-1874, clasp: Coomassie; (H. CANNELL. LG SEAMN. H.M.S. ACTIVE. 73-74.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Henry Cannell was born at Douglas, Isle of Man on 7th September 1843 and would enlist on 27th September 1858., initially seeing service as a Boy 2nd Class with Exmouth until on 24th April 1859, before moving to Wellington on 25th April 1859 to 29th October 1859, Centaur on 30th October 1859 until 7th April 1860, Forte on 8th April 1860, being advanced to Boy 1st Class on 25th August 1860, Ordinary Seaman on 1st December 1860, and then Able Seaman on 1st March 1864. He would move to Victoria on 9th September 1864, and then Excellent on 8th August 1867, Volage from 15th March 1870 until 10th October 1872 being advanced to Leading Seaman on 1st July 1870. He would then serve aboard Excellent until 31st December 1872 until 2nd October 1873.
Cannell would then transfer to Active where he would see service in West Africa during the Ashantee War of 1873 to 1874, and at the capture of Coomassie on 4th February 1874 being 1 of 116 men of Active to receive the clasp Coomassie.
Promoted Petty Officer 1st Class on 10th May 1874 he would remain aboard Active until 12th April 1877 when he would transfer to Excellent, he would subsequently transfer to Topaze on 13th September 1877. He would then join the Coast Guard serving at Newcastle as a Boatman from 15th September 1877 until 1st May 1878 He would join Hercules from 2nd May 1878 until 27th August 1878. Followed by Belleisle at Newcastle on 28th August 1878, Tyrella from 7th March 1879 and being advanced to Commissioned Boatman on 29th February 1884.
