United Kingdom. A Royal Naval Commission to Charles D. Inglis, Lieutenant of the HMS Marlborough, 1858

A large parchment document named to Lieutenant Charles D. Inglis, appointing him Lieutenant to the ship the Marlborough, dated February 2, 1858, a four shilling stamp duty on blue paper with a tin strip impressed IV on the left side, contained in a thick card frame, the reverse has been reinforced, glue evident around all exterior edges, measures 400mm (w) x 353mm (h), evidence of past creasing, areas of light foxing around the edges, remains in very fine condition.

Footnote: Charles Inglis was an officer of the Royal Navy who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Born to a naval family, Inglis quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a lieutenant of a frigate in 1798 when the ship fought an action against a French frigate. When the captain of his ship was injured, Inglis stepped in, earning himself great praise. He then served in the Mediterranean, on a frigate which formed part of Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson’s squadron. He was promoted to commander, then captain, and finally became flag-captain to Rear-Admiral George Martin. Inglis served on the HMS Peterel, HMS Cruelle, HMS Vanguard, HMS Queen, HMS Canopus, HMS Impetueux, HMS Stately, HMS Rodney, HMS Queen Charlotte, and the HMS Victory. Under Martin’s command, Inglis served on Mediterranean during the war, and off the coast of Portugal. In 1824, Martin became Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth aboard the HMS Victory, with Inglis as his Flag Captain once again. When Martin stepped down from his post in 1827, so did Inglis. He died in 1833, at Ryde, Island of Wight.