The 3-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to Admiral Henry T. Davies, Royal Navy, senior Lieutenant of the Blanche at the capture of the French frigate Guerrière in July 1806, which he afterwards single-handedly prevented from being re-taken, and was in consequence promoted to Commander


Naval General Service 1793-1840, 3 clasps, 1 June 1794, Egypt, Blanche 19 July 1806 (H. T. Davies, Lieut.) extremely fine £14,000-£18,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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Christie’s, April 1981; Dix Noonan Webb June 2005.

Confirmed on the rolls as Captain’s Servant aboard H.M.S. Glory at the Glorious First of June, as Lieutenant R.N. aboard H.M.S. Winchelsea in the Egypyt operations, and as senior Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Blanche. 22 clasps were issued for the capture of the Guerrière by the Blanche in July 1806.

Henry Thomas Davies entered the Navy on 3 March 1794, as Captain’s Servant on board the Triton 28, Captain John Elphinstone, lying in Portsmouth harbour, and, on following that officer shortly afterwards into the Glory 98, bore a part in Lord Howe’s action of the First of June. He continued to serve with Captain Elphinstone, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate in the Barfleur, Monarch, and Queen Charlotte, flag-ships of Lord Keith, and in the Diomede 50, until March 1800. In the Monarch he assisted at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope in 1795, and was present at the surrender of the Dutch squadron in Saldanha Bay, 17 August 1796. He returned home from the East Indies early in 1800, on board the L’Oiseau 36, and on 24 December in that year was promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Winchelsea 32, Captain John Hatley. In the course of 1801 Mr Davies obtained the Turkish medal for his services in Egypt. After further service in the West Indies and Home stations he was appointed, in February 1806, in the capacity of First Lieutenant, to the Blanche of 46 guns and 265 men, under Captain Thomas Lavie.

In this capacity he distinguished himself at the capture, on 19 July 1806, off the Faroe Islands, of the Guerrière French frigate, of 50 guns and 317 men, which struck her colours at the close of a warm action, in which the British lost only four men wounded, and the enemy 50 killed and wounded. Just before the action commenced, Captain Lavie summoned his crew to the break of the quarter-deck, and thus addressed them - “My lads, there is a French frigate before you, and I give you half an hour to take her. Now go to your quarters, and remember not a shot is to be thrown away.” This laconic address was received with three cheers.

After an action which lasted about three quarters of an hour, the Guerrière having lost her mizzen-topmast, and much damaged in her hull, hauled down her colours. Whilst preparing to remove the prisoners, the Blanche drifted a little to the leeward, and one of the French lieutenants thinking a chance presented itself of re-taking the ship and escaping, there being not more than 30 of the Blanche’s crew on board the prize, suddenly knocked down the Englishman at the wheel, and seizing it himself, shouted to his men to come forward and assist him in clearing the deck of their enemies. The presence of mind of Lieutenant Davies of the Blanche, defeated this attempt almost before the shout of the French officer had died away. Grasping him by the collar, Davies lifted the unfortunate Frenchman up by main strength, and dashed him headfirst down the after hatchway, and then drawing his sword, put to flight two or three of his men who had responded to the call of their officer.

Captain Lavie was knighted for this action, and Lieutenant Davies, whose conduct caused him to be strongly recommended by his captain, was rewarded with a Commander’s commission, dated 28 July 1806. In January 1809 he assumed command of the Tyrian 10, on the Channel station, and of the Albacore 18, in August 1811. In this vessel, on 18 December 1812, he again distinguished himself by the gallantry with which, in company with two or three smaller vessels, he pursued and engaged the French 40-gun frigate La Gloire, which ultimately effected her escape, with the loss to the Albacore of Lieutenant Harman killed and six or seven men wounded. “Captain Davies merited great praise for his gallantry and perseverance; and there can be no doubt, that by the boldness of the Albacore in chasing and attacking the Gloire, several merchant vessels were saved from capture.”

Commander Davies was advanced to Post-rank on 19 February 1814, and from June of that year until July 1815, commanded the Niagara 20 and Prince Regent 56, on Lake Ontario, under Sir James Lucas Yeo. He was placed on the retired list of Captains in October 1846; of Rear-Admirals in March 1849; of Vice-Admirals in January 1856; and of Admirals on 11 February 1861. Admiral Henry Davies died at Bath on 21 February 1869, aged 91.