Lot Essay
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm John Patterson as an Assistant Surgeon aboard the Blanche for the action of 19.7.1806, one of just 22 recipients of this clasp recorded on the Admiralty roll.
For the capture of the French Frigate Guerrière, off the Faroe Islands on 19.7.1806, the enemy sustaining casualties of 20 killed and 30 wounded. Captain Lavie of the Blanche was knighted.
Surgeon John Patterson was taken P.O.W. when H.M.S. Blanche was wrecked off Ushant on 4.3.1807. Sometime thereafter he was either 'exchanged' or escaped, safely returning to England where he joined the Gloucester in April 1812. Patterson went on to enjoy several more seagoing appointments and received advancement to Surgeon in April 1816, the latter part of his career being passed in a number of shore establishments. In October 1838, having reached the age of 50 years, he 'requested permission to emigrate to Australia for the benefit of his health', a wish that was ultimately achieved by his appointment as a Medical Practitioner in Melbourne in early 1839.
For the capture of the French Frigate Guerrière, off the Faroe Islands on 19.7.1806, the enemy sustaining casualties of 20 killed and 30 wounded. Captain Lavie of the Blanche was knighted.
Surgeon John Patterson was taken P.O.W. when H.M.S. Blanche was wrecked off Ushant on 4.3.1807. Sometime thereafter he was either 'exchanged' or escaped, safely returning to England where he joined the Gloucester in April 1812. Patterson went on to enjoy several more seagoing appointments and received advancement to Surgeon in April 1816, the latter part of his career being passed in a number of shore establishments. In October 1838, having reached the age of 50 years, he 'requested permission to emigrate to Australia for the benefit of his health', a wish that was ultimately achieved by his appointment as a Medical Practitioner in Melbourne in early 1839.