Nile Medal
From WikiPOBia
The Nile Medal was a privately-issued commemoration of the British victory at the Battle of the Nile, 1798. The medal was commissioned by Alexander Davison, whom Admiral [[Horatio Nelson|Nelson] had appointed the sole prize agent for the ships captured at the Battle of the Nile. He paid for the medal from his profits; the total cost was £2000.
Speciments in gold were presented to Nelson and his Captains, silver to Lieutenants and Warrant officers, gilt bronze to Petty officers, and copper to Royal Marines and seamen.[1]
A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard HMS Defence, from the National Maritime Museum.
Obverse: On a rock near the sea, Peace is standing holding in her right hand an olive branch and supporting with her left hand a medallion of Nelson, an anchor behind her. Legend: 'REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE'. Inscription around the portrait: 'EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY'. Below: 'C.H.K'. (C.H. Kuchler). Reverse: View of Aboukir Bay at sunset, the British Fleet going into action, the French at anchor. Incuse: 'John Lewes H.M.S. DEFENCE'. Legend: 'ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS'. Exergue: 'VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST 1. 1798'. Above (left) 'M.B. SOHO' (right) 'C.H. KUCHLER. FEC.' Both sides of the medal are glazed, with a suspension loop and white ribbon with blue edges attached.
In the Canon
Jack Aubrey received a silver Nile Medal, having served as a lieutenant aboard HMS Leander during the battle.[DonSetzer:http://www.hmssurprise.org/Resources/timeline.html] In the Canon, he typically wears the medal in a buttonhole of his dress uniform coat.
