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Can anybody tell me some more about this medal?

We believe it belonged to our great grandfather Thomas Uttley.  He was born in Yorkshire, and was in the army throughout his life, he eventualy died approx 1966 in Utenhage South Africa.

The medal reads;


and some hallmarks I believe...

I'm hoping this will give us a starting point for some further research into his military career.  Any help would be fantastic!

Here's hoping...

Thought I'd share this, for all of us looking for people in institutions and the like... not my family fortunately (or unfortunately?) but interesting none the less.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04um/

Whoo-hoo! just found a great entry from 23rd March 1844 Cambrian Newspaper (index available online), looks like gr.x4.grandad had some exitement way back when...

I've posted before, a while back, on the Pemb's board, but could'nt resist trying to see if anything new came up here... here's hoping.

Does anyone know how to find out more about his time in the Navy, especially anything to do with the explosion! or does anyone have access to any newspaper records?

Thanks,

Hello all, I'm hoping for a few pointers, or any sort of help at all!

I've got a 4xg.grandfather who, on his son's marriage certificate, was listed as a Greenwich pensioner and Parish Clerk.  After some searching I've found a death notice in a local paper:

23rd March 1844 - 'On the 6th instant, at Rosemarket, near Milford, aged 89, Michael Barnett.  He was blown up with the Medway frigate, in Plymouth dock yard, in the year 1782.  He belonged to the gunner's department, and was employed in the magazine when the explosion took place; he was blown several yards from the spot, and was found insensible on a stack of timber in the yard, greatly mutilated and burnt.  Having recovered, he took up his residence in his native village, and for the last 49 years has performed the duties of parish clerk.  He was allowed a pension from Greenwich Hospital of 24l per annum, and is believed to have been the oldest pensioner on the list'.

As you can see, it gives quite a bit of information, but I'm not sure where to start with naval records.  I've Googled the 'Medway' and found a few scant details, but I'd really like some information on the explosion and his time in the Navy.  Again from Google I've found that the local paper for Plymouth in 1782 would have been the Sherbourne Mercury, but nothing seems available online, and I can't see when I'll have an oppertunity to visit the area!

So, I'm hoping somebody out there might be able to help...

All my thanks in anticipation.

Buckaroo

Just wondered if anyone alse has had a similar experience,

I was following one of my family lines through the censuses, and found that the father of the family died between two censuses at a fairly young age.  So being curious I googled the village name to see what might be thrown up.  I found that the area was know, at that time, for the number of mines in the locality.  This tied in with my Grtx4 grandfather being a miner, so I carried on reading, and came across the account of a mining disaster.  The description of the accident was facinating, and gave a real insight into the way of life that my ancestors must have led.  Towards the end of the article it gave a list of the men who lost their lives... (this is the point when the lump in the throat appeared, and the text on the screen in front of me became foggy)... and there he was in 'black & white' my Grtx4 grandfather.  From facinating to sickening in seconds!

If anyone's interested here'd the article,

http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/Photo.htm

West Glamorgan, Bryncoch Main