拍品专文
The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm Alexander Roberts as a Yeoman of the Sheets aboard the Circe for both actions, one of just 14 recipients of the 'Off The Pearl Rock 13 Decr. 1808' clasp recorded on the Admiralty roll.
'Brave to rashness was the attempt made by three boats of the Circe, 32, to carry the 16-gun Brig Cigne [off the Pearl Rock, Martinique on 12-13.12.1808]. In this desperate affair, Lieutenant Crooke, commanding the boats was wounded in four places; and out of 68 men who accompanied him, only 12 returned unhurt. The Cigne was, however, boarded and captured on the following day by the boats of the Amaranthe, led by Lieutenant Hay, in company with those of the Circe and Stork, an 18-gun Corvette' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).
'Brave to rashness was the attempt made by three boats of the Circe, 32, to carry the 16-gun Brig Cigne [off the Pearl Rock, Martinique on 12-13.12.1808]. In this desperate affair, Lieutenant Crooke, commanding the boats was wounded in four places; and out of 68 men who accompanied him, only 12 returned unhurt. The Cigne was, however, boarded and captured on the following day by the boats of the Amaranthe, led by Lieutenant Hay, in company with those of the Circe and Stork, an 18-gun Corvette' (Great Battles of the British Navy, by Lieutenant C.R. Low, R.N., refers).