Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840, (2) clasps, Curacoa and St Sebastian
Awarded to : Thos. Hardy
EF Condition.
With some research which shows Thomas Hardy was born circa 1779 in Newtown, Glamorgan (papers also refer to Norwich ?) served in The Royal Marines from 19th April 1805, enlisting in Chepstow and serving until 23rd August 1816.
Thomas Hardy is confirmed to of served on HMS Latona for the capture of the Dutch island of Curacao in the West Indies. Considering its importance, and despite its strong defences, Curaçao was to be captured by Britain with almost ludicrous ease. In late 1806 – a period when French naval power was in decline, word reached the Royal Navy’s commander-in-chief on the Jamaica station, Vice-Admiral Dacres, that there was support from some citizens on Curaçao for throwing off French allegiance. Dacres accordingly despatched a task force consisting of the frigates HMS Arethusa, (commanded by Captain Charles Brisbane) and HMS Latona (Captain Wood), together with HMS Anson (Captain Charles Lydiard), originally a 64-gun “third rate” but later cut down to frigate dimensions. Another frigate, HMS Fisgard (Captain Bolton), which had been captured from the French in 1797, joined the others close to Curaçao. He served on HMS Ajax for the Capture of St Sebastian on 8th September 1813.
