The N.G.S. Trafalgar awarded to Armourer's Mate Charles Freeman, who served aboard H.M.S. Orion during the Battle of Trafalgar. In this role as a Petty Officer, he would have assisted the Armourer in distributing the small arms and weaponry required by the crew on deck during this famous battle, comprising: Naval General Service, 1793-1840, single clasp, Trafalgar (Chas Freeman.), court-mounted, attractively toned, two small edge bumps, otherwise good very fine. Armourer's Mate Charles Freeman was born c.1778 in Rutland, England, and joined Captain Edward Codrington's H.M.S. Orion (74) on 22 July 1805, having transferred from H.M.S. Desiree (36). Soon after he took part in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, serving as Armourer's Mate. Responsible in support of the Armourer for the upkeep, repair and distribution of all of the ship's small arms and weaponry, it is likely that he would have been found on deck during the fighting. The Orion formed part of the weather column and 'she fought the French 74-Gun Intrepide, which she forced in quarter of an hour to haul down her colours, and assisted in the submission of the French Swiftsure.' (The Trafalgar Roll, by Mackenzie, refers). She suffered twenty-four killed and wounded during the battle, and had several spars damaged, and her main-topsail shot away. Charles Freeman is a unique name on the N.G.S. medal roll. Ex Glendining, June 1992, Spink, April 1994, Turl Collection (Spink, 22 July 2010, lot 18) and Baldwin, 2011.