Nile Medal

From WikiPOBia

Rough notes - perhaps I should do this in the sandbox first?

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 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 [Marines] and [seamen]. http://www.aboutnelson.co.uk/medals.htm

A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard the [HMS Defence], from the [[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0184 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 the [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.