DEEDS OF NAVAL DARING
by Richard Taylor
'Murray's Reading for the Rail' was a pleasant series of
pocket-sized books produced in the middle of the 19th century by London
publishers John Murray. 'Deeds of Naval Daring' appeared in this
series in 1852.
It was written by Edward Giffard who mostly covered the 100 years from
the middle of the 18th century. Many of the accounts had already appeared
in print but the author claimed that wherever possible they had been
verified by reference to the original documents. He added that in many
instances those who had taken part had helped add to the story.
Fifteen of the events described by Giffard qualified participants to
clasps to the Naval General Service Medal, including single ship actions.
The last covered operations off the Syrian coast in 1840.
The following story has been selected for reproduction here because it
is one of the few to pay tribute to the courage of a Royal Marine.
CORPORAL OF MARINES IN CANADA
When, in the autumn of 1838, Canadian rebels and American sympathizers
disturbed the peace of our North American provinces, amongst other points
attacked was the town of Prescott, in Canada West, which was defended by a
few men of the 83rd Regiment, thirty of the Royal Marines, and such of the
Glengarry Militia as had had time to collect.
The American forces, after landing, had taken up a position in which
they were protected by the walls of an orchard, from behind which they
kept up a galling fire upon the advancing Marines, while the latter pushed
on, firing as objects offered.
In this position of affairs, Lance Corporal James Hunn, who was on the
right of the British line, ran forward and jumped over the wall which
covered the American sharpshooters, and found himself on their extreme
left, and almost in contact with six or seven of them, who were separated
from their main body by another wall running perpendicular to that which
covered their front.
These men were either landing or in the act of firing at the advancing
Marines when Hunn leaped the wall, and were so intent on their occupation
that they did not notice Hunn until he was on them; so that he was able to
close with them and was seen by his commanding officers to bayonet three,
one after the other, before they had time to load their pieces and fire.
A fourth man, whose piece was loaded, turned and fired, and his ball
struck the swell of Hunn's musket, where it was grasped by the left hand,
which it passed through, destroying the second finger; while at the time
the musket was driven so violently against his stomach as for a moment to
suspend his breath. Recovering himself, however, he fired effectively at
the enemy, now in full retreat; but his disabled hand prevented his
loading again, and he was most unwillingly obliged to give up any further
share in the glory of the day, after having thus accounted for four of the
enemy
Captain Sandon, in his official despatch, says, "It may appear
invidious to particularise any one man of the small band of Marines
engaged, where all shone so conspicuous; but I trust I may stand excused
for naming James Hunn, acting corporal, a young man of twenty years of
age, who, in the melee with the rebels, was seen by his officer and
companions to beat back seven of the pirates, three of whom fell dead
before him; and although at this time having his hand shattered by a
rifle-ball, he still continued the unequal contest.
"I feelingly hope such a noble example of bravery and devotion will
plead my excuse for urging you to move my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to bestow promotion and a medal upon this valiant young soldier.
He is in every way fit to become an officer."
Hunn was in consequence promoted to the rank of sergeant without
passing through the intermediate grade of corporal. The poor fellow died a
year or two after, a victim to yellow fever while serving in the Arab* on
the coast of Africa.
* This was presumably the 18-gun brig-sloop Arab, which was not
launched until 1847.
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