Full medal write up
NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793, CLASP EGYPT TO A COXSWAIN WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE OF A SHIPS BOAT DURING THE OPPOSED LANDINGS AT ABOUKIR ON 8 MARCH 1801
NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1840, 1 CLASP, EGYPT ‘WILLIAM SMALLRIDGE.’
William Smallridge (also recorded as Smallbridge) is confirmed on the roll for Egypt as Coxswain aboard H.M.S. Romulus, a 36-gun fifth rate frigate, converted to a troopship in 1799 for the Egyptian campaign.
As a Coxswain, which was a Petty Officer rank, with one Coxswain per ship, Smallridge would have been in charge of a ships launce which he would steer. He would also be in charge of transporting the ships Captain. Giving his rank, during the opposed landings at Aboukir on 8 March 1801, he would certainly have been actively employed in landing troops, something that would be hard to be sure of with any other man of Romulus’s crew:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Abukir_(1801)
Given his Petty Officer rating, Smallridge would have served for some years before the landings in Egypt and therefore tracing his service though the ships musters would no doubt be worthwhile. This will also establish the part of what regiment Romulus was transporting, therefore being able to establish what wave of assault Romulus boats were part of during the landings.
The Purser of Romulus left an account the landings.
https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-1150316
One of five clasps issued to this ship.
Condition obverse edge bruise and light marks, otherwise GVF. Ex Spink 1919.