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

The rare Great War ‘East Africa, Lindi operations C.G.M. group of eight awarded to Able Seaman Harry Johns, H.M.S. Thistle, who showed exemplary conduct in at once going below into the after flat, when the ship was hit by an enemy 4.1 inch shell, in order to assist in extinguishing the fire’

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (183788. H. Johns, A.B. H.M.S. Thistle. Lindi. 11. June 1917.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (H. Johns, Lg. Sea., H.M.S. Fox.); 1914-15 Star (183788. H. Johns. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (183788. H. Johns. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (183788. Harry Johns. A.B. H.M.S. Thistle.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militarie, blue enamel badly chipped on this; Croix de Guerre 1914 1917, with bronze palme, mounted as worn, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (8) £8,000-£10,000

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

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C.G.M. London Gazette 19 December 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry during combined naval and military operations in the neighbourhood of Lindi, East Africa, on the 10th and 11th June, 1917. He showed exemplary conduct in at once going below into the after flat, when the ship was hit by an enemy 4.1 inch shell, in order to assist in extinguishing the fire, and by his coolness and judgement prevented the fire from spreading.’

Three C.G.M.s awarded for the Lindi operations in East Africa.

Medaille Militaire London Gazette 28 August 1918.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 September 1918.

Lindi, a port of German East Africa, was occupied by the British Forces in September, 1915, but ever since that time had been practically ‘bottled up’, the surrounding country being held by the Germans. Lindi does not lie on the coast, but on the northern shore of the estuary of the river Lukuledi, which is some seventy miles north of the Portuguese frontier. In view of operations that had been planned, it became very desirable in the summer of 1917, to clear a larger area round Lindi in order to secure a better water supply and to prepare the main exits from the town and harbour.

With this object in view, the main Military force moved out on June 10th, 1917, and in three days had cleared the enemy from the estuary of the river. During these operations a surprise landing was carried out at a creek on the south side, where the Germans had a 4.1" gun which commanded the estuary and had proved very troublesome. This was a combined naval and military operation. Upon the Navy, represented by the Hyacinth, Severn, Thistle and Echo, devolved the duty of embarking some 2,800 troops and 700 porters and conveying them to their starting point.

This had to be done under cover of night. To reach the selected landing place the heavily laden boats had to pass close to enemy positions. The passage by water started at 1800 on the 10th September, the night being dark and the tide fair.

An officer, Lieut. Charlewood, D.S.C., of the Echo, led the advance in a motor boat and placed lights, invisible to the enemy, on prominent points as leading marks. Although the Germans appeared to know that there was some movement on foot they either reserved their fire or did not observe the tows of boats passing them. The Thistle and Severn, which were following the boats, were sniped at. The main column was successfully landed by 2230 and by 0600 the next morning had occupied the hills covering the landing. It was not until 0300 on the 11th that the Germans opened fire with their 4.8" gun. Their shooting was very wild and caused no damage. The Thistle, which had anchored to superintend and cover a landing, was obliged, by the low state of the tide, to remain stationary, but fortunately, she was hidden from the enemy by a thick mist which lasted till 0700.

When the mist cleared away the Germans immediately opened fire on her and after about 20 rounds, scored one hit. This killed an E.R.A. and wounded a leading stoker, also causing extensive damage. The auxiliary exhaust, fire mains, dynamo pipes, and two bulkheads were pierced. The shell, after passing through the ship's side, struck the after magazine hatch, which it completely broke up. A fire started in the magazine flat, a small confined space with the magazine below it.

After the burst of the shell, the flat was on fire, and filled with fumes, smoke and steam from the holed exhaust pipe. Mr. Mark Methuen, Gunner, followed by Leading Stoker George Pascall and Able Seaman Harry Johns went into the flat and succeeded in extinguishing the fire before any further harm resulted. They all suffered from the effect of the fumes, Mr. Methuen having to go on the sick list. When the fire was extinguished, Leading Stoker Pascall went to assist in the Engine Room. Here he found that the E.R.A. had been killed, but that Leading Stoker James Leach, who was wounded in two places, had continued to stand by the engines although the engine room was filled with steam and water was pouring through the burst fire mains. Leading Stoker Leach persisted in carrying on with his duty until ordered to go up for medical treatment. The expedition was successful, the enemy being driven from his positions and forced to retire inland. Mr. Methuen received the D.S.C., and Leading Stoker Pascal, A.B. Johns and Leading Stoker Leach were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for their conduct on this occasion.

Harry Johns was born at Bristol on 1 December 1879, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 10 May 1895. Hr progressively through the rates to become Petty Officer 2nd Class on 22 June 1905, but for some reason reverted to Able Seaman just 11 days later and remained as such until the expiration of his Continuous Service engagement on 3 December 1909. Joining the Royal Fleet Reserve on the following day, he was recalled for service on 2 August 1914, joining H.M.S. Challenger. He removed to H.M.S. Thistle on 17 April 1916, and to H.M.S. Defiance on 1 October 1918, from which ship he was Shore Demobilised on 16 May 1919. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal on 12 November 1917, shortly before he received the C.G.M. These and the two French awards are all confirmed on his record of service.

Sold with copied record of service.