Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, 11 Aug Boat Service 1808 (Wm. Raddon.) a little polished, otherwise nearly very fine £6,000-£8,000

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

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Collection

Cheylesmore Collection, Glendining’s, July 1930; Spink, July 2000.

William Raddon is confirmed on the roll as an Able Seaman aboard the Edgar for the Boat Service action of 11 August 1808, one of just 15 recipients of this clasp recorded on the Admiralty roll.

Awarded for the capture of the Danish Corvettes Fama and Salorman by boats from Rear-Admiral Richard Keats’ Squadron, in Nyborg Harbour, Funen Island, Denmark, an action that actually took place on 9 August 1808.

‘At the time of the uprising of the Spaniards against the oppressive rule of the French in 1808, a body of about twelve thousand Spanish troops under the command of the Marquis de la Romana, were stationed on the shores of the Baltic, with the alleged intention of invading Sweden, in conjunction with a Danish army. On learning the state of affairs in Spain, these troops swore to be faithful to their country, and were eager to join their countrymen to assist in overthrowing the tyrant to whom they owed their banishment. A small British squadron was cruising in the Cattegat, commanded by Rear-Admiral Keats, in the Superb, seventy-four, comprising the Brunswick, seventy-four, Captain T. Graves; the Edgar, seventy-four, Captain J. Macnamara, and five or six smaller vessels. According to a plan concerted between the Rear-Admiral and the Marquis de la Romana, the latter on August 9th took possession of the fort and town of Nyborg, on the island of Funen. The Admiral then wrote to the Danish governor, engaging to abstain from any act of hostility if the Spaniards were unmolested by the Danish or French troops, but stating that if any opposition was offered to the embarkation of the Spanish troops, the town of Nyborg would probably be destroyed. The Danish garrison made no resistance, but the Danish eighteen-gun brig Fama, and a twelve-gun cutter, moored in the harbour near the town, rejected all offers, and prepared for action. The Spanish General being unwilling to act against the Danes, and the capture of the vessels being absolutely necessary, some small vessels and boats, under the orders of Captain Macnamara, entered the harbour, and attacked and carried both the vessels, with the loss of Lieutenant Harvey of the Superb, killed, and two men wounded. A few days afterwards ten thousand Spaniards were conveyed to England, and subsequently to their native country.’ (Medals of the British Navy, by W. H. Long refers.)