Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840 One clasp Trafalgar Awarded to James Sharman 1785-1867, pressed into service on the Weasel frigate. He later served aboard the Victory, Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, where recent research has confirmed that he was one of the men who carried Lord Nelson down to the Orlop deck, where Nelson died. This brought him to the notice of Captain Hardy, who later, was instrumental in procuring for Sharman the post of caretaker of the Yarmouth Column. It was in Yarmouth that Sharman met Charles Dickens, who was staying at the Royal Hotel at the time. Dickens was fascinated by Sharman, and is said to have based the character of Peggoty on him in his book David Copperfield. The medal is sold together with Nelson 'I am myself a Norfolk Man' by Charles Lewis, and related research on James Sharman.