Commander James Wooldridge.
This is all that I could uncover about this particular Captain.
The Wooldridge Gold Medal 1809.
A French Fleet of eleven sail, being blockaded by a British Fleet under Lord Gambier, in Aix Roads, an attempt was made to destroy the enemy Fleet by fire ships under the direction of Lord Cochrane. The fire
ships were manned by volunteers from the fleet. On the night of April the 11th, 1809, Commander Wooldridge in the "Mediator" led the attack, and broke the boom placed in front of the French ships, but through his eagerness to execute his desperate undertaking in the most through manner he was blown out of his ship and terribly scorched. At daylight , seven of the French fleet were seen to be on shore, and of these, four were set on fire and destroyed. For this eminent service Commander Wooldridge was made a Post Captain, and presented with a special gold medal and chain, by the King. The Patriotic Fund also gave him a sword valued at 100 guineas, and to his Lieutenant, Clements, a sword of the value of 50 guineas.
On the obverse of this medal is represented a fire ship breaking a boom, behind which are ships. Underneath is the date, 11th April, MDCCCIX. On the reverse is inscribed "Captain James Wooldridge led the British fire ships when four French sail of the line were burnt under their own batteries in Aix Roads." The medal is surrounded by a cable border.
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