Ashantee Medal 1873-1874, tailor’s copy clasp Coomassie, awarded to Petty Officer 1st Class L. Toole, Royal Navy who saw service in West Africa during the Ashantee War of 1873 to 1874, being 1 of 62 men of HMS Merlin to be entitled to the medal without clasp, no men of this ship receiving the clasp for Coomassie.
Ashantee Medal 1873-1874, 1 Clasp: Coomassie; tailor’s copy clasp; (L. TOOLE. PY. OFFR. 1 CL. H.M.S. MERLIN.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
Lawrence Toole was born in Claddagh, County Galway on 3rd February 1838 and saw service in the Royal Navy from 10th March 1859 as an Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class, before moving to James Watt from 19th April 1859 until 21st June 1862 being appointed an Ordinary Seaman on 25th March 1860, Able Seaman on 1st June 1861. He would then move to Trafalgar from 22nd June 1862 until 29th November 1863 when he would be invalided.
He would then return to service with Royal Sovereign on 12th March 1864 until 14th October 1864 until 10th October 1866, and then Fort William from 11th October 1866 until 31st August 1868. He would then transfer to Valiant on 1st September 1868, Inconstant 27th May 1959 until 17th October 1872, then Royal Adelaide on 18th October 1872 until 11tth December 1872. Merlin as a Petty Officer 1st Class on 12th December 1872 until 12th May 1876 being present in West Africa during the Ashantee War of 1873 to 1874. 1 of 62 men of the Merlin to receive the Ashantee Medal, none of which are confirmed as being entitled to the clasp Coomassie.
He would subsequently serve with Royal Adelaide on 13th May 1876 until 26th June 1876, Indus from 27th June 1876 to 10th December 1877, Royal Adelaide from 11th December 1877 until 15th June 1879 before being shore pensioned.
