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

The 3-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to Commander Thomas Francillon, Royal Navy, Midshipman of the Pompee at the capture of Martinique, he afterwards saw much detached service in North America, including boat service actions when Midshipman of the Marlborough up the Elk River, Chesapeake Bay in April 1813, and as Lieutenant in the boats of Ramilles on Lake Borgne in December 1814; he was wounded in May 1814 whilst attacking an American battery at Pungoteake, on the eastern shore of Virginia, for which services he was commended in despatches
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 3 clasps, Martinique, 29 April Boat Service 1813, 14 Dec Boat Service 1814 (Thomas Francillon, Lieut. R.N.) dark toned, extremely fine and a unique combination of clasps £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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Sotheby, March 1979 and June 1983; Dix Noonan Webb, April 2004,

Confirmed on the rolls as a Midshipman aboard H.M.S. Pompee at the capture of Martinique, in the same rank aboard H.M.S. Marlborough at the 1813 American boat service action, and as Supernumerary Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Ramillies at the New Orleans boat service action. A unique combination of clasps.

The 29 April 1813 clasp was for the destruction of the battery, stores and vessels at Frenchtown, and cannon foundry and battery at Havre de Grace, up the Elk River, Chesapeake Bay. Another clasp, dated ‘Ap & May Boat Service 1813’ commemorates the same actions. On the original Admiralty clasp application list the entry of ‘29 April’ is crossed out with correction to ‘April & May’, probably to avoid confusion with the other boat service clasp dated ‘29 April’ which was granted for a different action. Approximately 57 clasps were issued, with both engraved date varieties known.

Thomas Francillon was born on 19 September 1792, at Harwich, Essex, son of Francis Francillon, Purser, R.N., and elder brother of Lieutenant John George Francillon, R.N. These two brothers entered the Navy together on 7 November 1807, on board the Pompee 74, Captain Richard Dacres, bearing the broad pendant afterwards of Sir George Cockburn, whom they successively followed into the Belleisle, Implacable, Alfred, Grampus, Marlborough, Sceptre, and Albion.

As midshipmen in the Pompee, they were present at the reduction of Martinique in February 1809, served in the Belleisle during the ensuing expedition to Flushing; in the Grampus at the defence of Cadiz in 1812; and saw much detached service on the coast of America. In May 1814, Thomas Francillon was wounded whilst attacking an American battery at Pungoteake, on the eastern shore of Virginia, for which services he was commended in despatches by Captain Charles B. H. Ross, of the Albion, and by Vice-Admiral Alexander Cochrane, Commander-in-Chief on the North American station. who wrote to the Admiralty thus:

‘Tonnant, in the Patuxent,
2nd September 1814

Mr Jeremiah McDaniel, Master’s Mate of the Tonnant, who was severely wounded in the Battle of Bladensburg, while bringing up the Reserve of the Rocket brigade to an advanced position, and Mr Thomas Francillon, Master’s Mate of the Albion, who was wounded in the attack on Pungoteake, where they respectively conducted themselves with great gallantry, having both served their time and being most deservingly spoken of, I have thought it proper as opportunities offered to mark my approval of their conduct by conferring upon them that promotion they so well merit, and I herewith transmit a list of their appointments to Admiralty vacancies in hopes that my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will be pleased to confirm them therein.’

Promoted to Lieutenant as a result on 5 October 1814, Thomas Francillon joined the Ramillies 74, Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, and on 14 December 1814, previous to the attack on New Orleans, served with the boats of that ship and of a squadron at the capture, on Lake Borgne, of five American gun-boats under Commodore Jones, which did not surrender until the British, after a desperate conflict, had suffered a loss of 17 men killed and 77 wounded.

Thomas Francillon returned to England in May 1815. In March 1820, he obtained an appointment in the Water Guard which he resigned in 1826, on being transferred to the command of the Lapwing Revenue cruizer. He left that vessel in April 1830, and was appointed Harbour Master of Gloucester on 3 April 1832. He was placed on the reserved list in July 1851, and on the list of retired Commanders on 18 October 1858. Commander Thomas Francillon died sometime in 1861.

Sold with full research including copies of various despatches and recommendations.