Porto Novo in Dahomey. He was promoted Captain for his services in 1862. He was awarded C.B. in 1875 and commanded H.M.S. Aventure on the China Station 1868–71. He retired as a Rear Admiral 1878, and devoted the remaining years of his life to service charities. Raby died on 13 February 1907. Raby's obituary appeared in The Shirburnian in March 1907 [Reprint from The Times, 14 February 1907]: REAR-ADMIRAL H.J. RABY,V.C.,C.B. Born September 21st, 1827; died February 13th, 1907. Rear-Admiral Henry James Raby,V.C., C.B. (retired), died yesterday morning at his residence, 8 Clarence Parade, Southsea. Admiral Raby had resided in Southsea since his retirement from the Navy. He took a great interest in the Royal Seamen and Marines' Orphanage, the Royal Sailors’ Home, and in various other philanthropic Institutions in the town. Rear-Admiral Raby was a son of Mr. Arthur Turnour Raby of Llanelly, Carmarthen, and was educated at Sherborne. He was born in September, 1827, and entered the Navy as a first-class Volunteer on board 'The Monarch' in 1842. In 1848 he was rated mate, and two years later received his commission as lieutenant, in this grade he served for some time in the ‘Wasp' on the West Coast of Africa, and on the outbreak of war with Russia in 1854 was sent to the Black Sea. There he was landed with the Naval Brigade and served in the trenches from October 23rd, 1854, until September 16th, 1855. As second-in-command of a ladder party at the attack of the Redan, he performed the act of gallantry for which he received the Victoria Cross and which was thus described in the Gazette:-'On June 18th, 1855, immediately after the assault on Sevastopol, a soldier of the 57th regiment, who had been shot through both legs, was observed sitting up and calling for assistance. Climbing over the breastwork of the advanced sap, Lieutenant Raby and two seamen proceeded upwards of 70 yards across the open space towards the salient angle of the Redan, and in spite of the heavy fire which was still continuing, succeeded in carrying the wounded soldier to a place of safety at the imminent risk of their own lives. Lieutenant Raby was the sole survivor to reap the reward and wear the Cross.' For his services in the trenches he was in September, 1855, promoted to commander and received the Crimean, Sardinian, and Turkish Medals, with Clasps for