The fine Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, 1 Clasp: 24 May Boat Service 1814 awarded to Landsman William Aaron, Royal Navy who saw service with the boats of the Elizabeth and was present at the capture of the French National Xebec L’Aigle off the coast of Corfu on 24th May 1814 marking the last naval surrender of the French Tricolour during the Napoleonic Wars. 1 of 12 clasps issued for this action.
Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, 1 Clasp: 24 May Boat Service 1814; (WILLIAM AARON).
Condition: Extremely Fine
Provenance: Cheylesmore Collection, Glendining’s, July 1931, Glendining’s September 1961, Peter Dale Collection, July 2000, Jason Pilalas Collection, Noonans Mayfair.
William Aaron is confirmed on the roll as a Landsman in the boats of the Elizabeth and was present at the capture of the French National Xebec L’Aigle in May 1814, and was to receive 1 of 12 clasps issued for the Boat Service action of 24th May 1814.
The action of 24th May 1814 saw the boarding and capture of the French 6 gun Xebec L’Aigle from under the guns of a battery on the island of Vide (Vidho) off Corfu, by the boats of H.M.S. Elizabeth under the orders of Lieutenant Mitchell Roberts, who was advanced to Commander for this service.
L’Aigle mounted six guns, a howitzer, and two swivels, with a crew of forty-one men, the captors suffering no loss in their successful action. The capture of the L’Aigle represented the last naval surrender of the French Tricolour in the Napoleonic War.
