Gold, 'Ministry of Marine' lifesaving medal. Obverse: Head of Emperor Napoleon III (left) Legend: 'NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR'. Reverse: An oval shield with inscription having as supporters a female figure (left) holding a laurel branch, and Mercury (right) with caduceus, both standing on a pedestal decorated with an olive branch (centre). Inscription: 'MINISTERE DE LA MARINE A ROTHERY (WILLIAM) PROCTOR PRES LA HAUTE COUR D'AMIRTE BRITANNIQUE SERVICES A LA MARINE IMPERIALE 1856'. Fitted with a loop and ring and a tricolour ribbon.
William Rothery (1775-1864). Legal adviser to the Treasury on matters relating to the slave trade, Chief of the Office of King's Proctor in Doctors Commons. During 1830-1832 he drew up rules for the guidence of Vice-Admiralty Courts in the collonies. In 1840, with Sir Henry Lytton Bulwar and two French government commissioners he helped to settle a compensation claim by British subjects on the French government for disruption of trade. In 1844 with the judge of the Court of Admiralty, Admiral Denman he drew up instructions for naval officers suppressing the slave trade.