The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-23 00:00:00

THE VICTORIA CROSS.

On the 21st of April last the following notice
appeared in the Gazette

" The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her
intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on
the undermentioned midshipman and seamen of the Royal
Navy, whose claims to the same have been submitted for
her Majesty's approval, on amount of the gallantry dis-
played by them during the operations in the Straits of
Simone Seki, Japan, as recorded against their names, viz. :
" Mr. Duncan Gordon Boyes, midshipman, of her Ma-
jesty's ship Euryalus, for the conspicuous gallantry which,
according to the testimony of Captain Alexander, C. 8., at
that time flag-captain to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Kuper,
K.C.8., Mr. Boyes displayed on the occasion of the capture
of the enemy's stockade. He carried a colour with the lead-
ing company, kept it in advance of all, in the face of the
thickest fire, his colour-sergeants having fallen, one mor-
tally, the other dangerously, wounded ; and he was only
detained from proceeding yet further by the orders of his
superior officer. The colour he carried was six times pierced
by musket balls. Thomas Pride, captain of the after-guard
of her Majesty's ship Euryalus, the survivor of the two
colour-sergeants who supported Mr. Boyes in the gallant
rush which he ma de in advance of the attack, is also recom-
mended for the Victoria Cross for his conduct on this oc-
casion.—Date of acts of bravery, Sept. 6, 1864.

" William Seeley, ordinary seaman of her Majesty's ship
Euryalus, for the intelligence and daring which, according
to the testimony of Lieut. Edwards, commanding the 3d
company, he exhibited in ascertaining the enemy's position
and for continuing to retain his position in front during
the advance, after he had been wounded in the arm.—Date
of act of bravery, Sept. 6, 1864."

At that date her Majesty's ship Euryalus was
carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Kuper in Japanese
waters, and the ceremony of presentation of the
crosses was therefore deferred until their arrival in
England. The Euryalus arrived home during the
present month, has since been undergoing the pro-
cess of dismantling alongside Portsmouth dockyard,
this morning will be paid out of commission, and the
presentation of the crosses took place on Southsea-
common, Portsmouth, yesterday, by Admiral Sir
M. Seymour, G.C.8., Naval Commander-in-Chief
at Portsmouth, as the representative of her Majesty
on the occasion.

A general order, dated her Majesty's ship Victory,
Sept. 19, stated that—

" The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having
transmitted to Admiral Sir Michael Seymour decorations
of the Victoria Cross, which the Oueen has been pleased to
confer upon Mr. Duncan Gordon Boyce, midshipman, Thos.
Pride, Captain of the Afterguard, and Wm. Seeley, ordi-
nary seamen of her Majesty's ship Euryalus, to commemo-
rate acts of bravery performed by them during operations
in the Straits of Simono Seki, Japan, and her Majesty hay-
irg signified her commands that these decorations should
be presented in such a public and formal manner as may
be considered best adapted to evince her Majesty's sense of
the noble daring displayed by them before the enemy, and
to testify hes wish that a decoration which officers and men
equally share may be highly prized and eagerly sought after
by all, of whatever rank or degree, in her Majesty's naval
and military services, their lordships specially command
that in the discharge of this duty nothing should be omitted
that might tend to redound to the honour of the officer and
men and enhance the value of the decoration."

The order further contained instructions for the
assembly of the seamen and marines of her Majesty's
ships in port and at Spithead on Southsea-common,
and also of the Royal Marine Artillery and Light
Infantry from their respective head-quarters at
Fort Cumberland and Forton. All officers, petty
officers, seamen, and marines who had already
received the decoration of the Victoria Cross were
directed to assemble right and left of the Comman-
der-in-Chief, Sir M. Seymour, to assist at the pre-
sentation. The captains, commanders, and officers
of the fleet were invited to attend, captains and
commanders to be considered as part of the Admi-
ral's staff. All officers taking part in the ceremony
to wear full dress uniform with white trousers, petty
officers and seamen in blue jackets, white frocks
and trousers, and black hats, and the Royal Marine
Artillery and Light Infantry in full parade dress
uniform.

Every means were thus taken by the authorities,
in accordance with the Queen's wishes and the Ad-
miralty instructions, to render the ceremony of the
investiture of the order as impressive as possible.
The general public evinced equal interest to be
present on so exceptional and gratifying an oc-
casion, and by the time the leading divisions of
seamen and marines debouched upon Southsea-
common many thousands of people had congregated.
The Naval Brigade was under the command of
Captain Astley Cooper Key, C. 8., commanding
her Majesty's ship Excellent, and consisted of two
battalions—the right battalion being under the
command of Captain Herbert, of the Royal Sove-
reign, and composed of six companies of seamen
from her Majesty's ship Excellent. The left bat-
' talion being composed of six companies from her
Majesty's ships Excellent, Terrible, Research, Scor-
pion, and Royal Sovereign, under the command of
Captain Wilmshurst, of her Majesty's ship Research.
To the brigade was attached a battery of field pieces
from the Excellent manned by fine hardy-looking
seamen, under the command of Lieutenant Pouldan
of the Excellent. To this brigade was also attached
the officers and crew of the Euryalus, under the
command of Captain Dowell, C.B.
The Royal Marine Artillery and Light Infantry
were formed into one brigade under the command
of Colonel Tate, Colonel Commandant of the Royal
Marine Artillery; Lieutenant and Adjutant Colomb,
of the Royal Marine Artillery, performed the duties
of Brigade-Major to the naval as well as the marine
brigade. On the whole force reaching the Com-
mon it was formed in line of brigades, facing the
sea, the field-battery being on the right of the line ;
the brigade of seamen next, succeeded by the
Royal Marine Light Infantry, and the Marine
Artillery holding the left of the line. The officers
and crew of the Euryalus at the same time fell in
right and left of and facing the saluting point, past
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In aoncetnhteraalrraivnadl
prominent position stood the young officer and the
two seamen who were to receive the decoration,
several
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td e bny Captain High Burgoyne, and
Wearing the bronze cross of the
order. Captain Geerling, with the lieutenants,
Majesty's screw corvettepoWsiatiteonrgerinsear, ntohwe
four petty officers, and thirty seamen from his
yiecimoanr. A large number
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flagstaff,l ying i n Portsmouth,and ne
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of ladies and officers of both services were grouped
near the flagstaff, with an immense number of people
on the esplanade, between the saluting flag and the