Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain J. N. Lalor, Royal Marine Light Infantry and Niger Coast Protectorate Force

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (Lieut., R.M.L.I.); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Benin River 1894, Witu 1890 (Niger Coast Prot.), second clasp loose on ribbon; Khedive’s Star 1884-6, mounted for wear, first with slight pitting, very fine and better, a rare ‘Benin River 1894’ casualty (3) £2000-2500

James Nicholas Lalor was born in Dublin on 16.4.1863. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry in September 1882, promoted Instructor of Gunnery in April 1890 and Captain in July 1893. Lalor first saw active service with the Royal Marine Battalion defending Suakin and was susequently engaged in the operations in eastern Sudan 1884-85, being present at the action at Hasheen, 20.3.1885, the attack on Sir J. McNeill’s zareba at Tulufik, 22.3.1885, the attack on the square of Guards and Marines near Tofrek, 24.3.1885 and the taking and burning of Tamaai, 3.4.1885, being severely wounded during the latter engagement. Lalor subsequently saw service in the Indian Ocean in command of cruising boats, and was mentioned in despatches in 1890 for the capture of two Arab dhows off Pemba Island and Zanzibar. He then saw service with the Royal Marine Battalion that formed part of the Naval Brigade under Vice-Admiral Sir E. R. Freemantle that fought in the punitive expedition against the Sultan of Witu. He was again mentioned in despatches by Admiral Freemantle, who noted that during the attack along the Witu road he was ‘struck with the cool conduct of the Marines under Lieut-Col. Poole and Lieutenant Lalor, R.M.L.I., a considerable body of the enemy being at one time in front of them at less than 200 yards’. He further noted, ‘bounded to mention specially Lieutenant W. C. Slater in command of the Field Guns, and Lieutenants E. M. Hewett and A. T. Hunt R.N. and Lieutenant James N. Lalor, R.M.L.I. as efficient Company Officers’. Lalor then volunteered for service with the Royal Niger Coast Protectorate and took part in the Benin River Expedition of 1894 against Chief Nanna of Brohemie Town, Brohemie Creek. In an attempt to reconnoitre the enemy’s positions, the steam cutter from H.M.S. Allecto was sent up the creek. Lieutenant-Commander Heugh of H.M.S. Allecto, in command of the cutter was accompanied by Major C. Crawford, Consular Agent to the Niger Coast Protectorate, Captain Lalor, six sailors from Allecto and a native interpreter. Although armoured against rifle fire, the cutter came under fire from a battery of concealed guns. The battery was silenced by rockets but the boat was holed, the coxswain killed and others wounded. Capatin Lalor was mortally wounded in the action and the cutter in a sinking state barely made it back to the Allecto. For the action Heugh was awarded the D.S.O. and two of the seamen were awarded the C.G.M. The mortally wounded Lalor was again mentioned in despatches, ‘Captain Lalor also, though so severely wounded, was endeavouring to support me (Heugh) in bringing the boat out of this difficulty’.

Sold with copied services papers and extracts of Vice-Admiral Freemantle’s despatches for the Witu Expedition of 1890 and Rear-Admiral Bedford and Lieutenant-Commander Heugh’s despatches for the Benin River Expedition of 1894.