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

The unique K.C.M.G., ‘Benin River 1894’ C.B., and ‘Witu 1897’ D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Admiral Sir Charles Campbell, Royal Navy
The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, K.C.M.G. Knight Commander’s neck badge and breast star, silver-gilt and enamels, in Garrard & Co., London, fitted case of issue; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Comdr. C. Campbell, R.N., H.M.S. “Thalia”; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Benin River 1894, Benin 1897 (Capt. C. Campbell R.N., H.M.S. Philomel); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Zanzibar, Order of the Brilliant Star, 2nd Class breast star, silver, gold and enamels, with Tughra of Sultan Ali bin Said Al-Busaiadi (1890-93); together with a privately awarded Life Saving Medal, silver, ‘To Charles Campbell of Sadell, Midshipman R.N., May 1864, in Tunis Bay. He risked his own to save another life’, generally good very fine or better (10) £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

Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

K.C.M.G. 1905.

C.B. London Gazette 21 December 1894: ‘In recognition of services in the recent operations against the Chief Nana of Brohemie in the Benin River.’
‘Captain Campbell, of the Philomel, has acted as my Flag Captain, and in that capacity has been zealous and energetic, and most anxious to carry out my orders and anticipate my wishes’ (Rear-Admiral Bedford’s despatch refers).

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 May 1897: ‘In recognition of services during the recent expedition to Benin.’
‘- commanded the rear guard at the attack on the city; and by his prompt action at the fire which broke out on the 21st instant saved the lives of the wounded. He is indefatigable, and always ready to work’ (Rear-Admiral Rawson’s despatch refers). One of five awards of the D.S.O. for this expedition.

Charles Campbell was born at St Andrews, Scotland, on 26 March 1847, eldest son of John Campbell of Saddell. He was educated at Brenchley Vicarage, Staplehurst, and then at the Royal Naval Academy, Gosport and entered the Britannia in 1860, where he gained the diving prize for staying under water one minute 53 seconds (then a record). He next joined H.M.S. Magicienne under Commander H.S.H. Prince Leiningen; after transferring to the Marlborough, Mediterranean Flagship, he saw further service in the Amphion, Royal Oak and Racer. In 1868 he joined Galatea, under Captain H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and it was in this ship he made a voyage around the world.

Promoted to Commander in 1882, whilst commanding Thalia Campbell served as Transport Officer during Lord Wolseley's Campaign against Arabi Pasha, for which service he received the Egyptian Medal and Khedive's Star. In 1885 he was selected by the Admiralty to compile the vocabulary signal book and the Admiralty secret ciphers. On promotion to Captain in 1888, Campbell commanded Lily, and later in the Philomel and the command of the East Coast of Africa from 1891. There, he suppressed the uprisings at Lamu and Witu, captured 11 slave dhows, and rescued the young Sultan of Zanzibar from a troublesome usurper following the death of his father. For this service he received a handsome jewelled sword from the Sultan, and the Order of Zanzibar 2nd Class. Their Lordships conveyed their approval for the manner in which the duties devolving upon him on the occasion of the death of the Sultan of Zanzibar on 5 March 1893 were carried out.

On hearing that Chief Nana of Brohemie was being troublesome Rear Admiral Frederick C. Bedford C.B., Commander in Chief, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa, transferred his Flag to Philomel (Captain Charles Campbell R.N.) and proceeded to the Benin River. A Naval Brigade was formed from H.M. Ships Alecto, Philomel, Phoebe, and Widgeon. On 19 September 1894, Nana's town was shelled, and on the 20th two parties were landed, the first under Captain Powell of Alecto and the second under Captain Campbell of Philomel. Captain Campbell, as the senior of the two Captains, was given independent command of the second party and had charge of all of the boats employed, whilst Admiral Bedford accompanied Captain Powell.

The town of Brohemie was attacked from two sides and, despite some spirited resistance, was quickly taken. Chief Nana, however, escaped. The Naval Party destroyed considerable quantities of stores and guns, and confiscated £327.00 that had been left behind by Nana in his haste to escape. Their mission complete, the Naval Brigade returned to their boats. Admiral Bedford received the K.C.B., and Captains Campbell and Powell the C.B. ‘for gallant behaviour'. In addition, three D.S.O.s and two C.G.M.s were awarded. All who fought on shore with the Naval Brigade received the East & West Africa Medal with clasp 'Benin River 1894'.

In early 1897 Rear-Admiral Harry H. Rawson, C.B., the new Commander in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station, flying his flag in St George, was requested to punish Chief Overiami, who ruled Benin City, for the murder that had taken place in January 1897 of a Mr T. R. Phillips, Acting Consul General and members of his party. A Squadron of ships comprising St George, Theseus, Forte, Philomel, Phoebe, Widgeon, Alecto, Barrosa and Magpie was assembled off Warrigi on the Benin River. A Naval Brigade some 1,200-strong, drawn from the various ships, was landed on 11 February 1897, and Benin city was reached and quickly taken on the 18th. However, Chief Overiami and his generals had escaped. The stench of death was appalling; seven pits forty feet deep with up to 15 bodies in each were found, the dead being intermingled with the living. During the clear-up operations, Benin was accidentally fired and the whole city was destroyed. The Naval Brigade was re-embarked after 18 days on shore. Rear-Admiral Rawson received the K.C.B., three Captains the C.B., and five D.S.O.s were awarded to other officers, including to Captain Campbell.

Charles Campbell was the only Naval Officer to be decorated for gallantry in both expeditions, as demonstrated by his mentions in the London Gazettes of 21 December 1894 (for Benin River), and 25 May 1897.

Appointed to the Command of the Empress of India in 1897, Campbell was aboard this ship at the Fleet Review and received the Queen's Jubilee Medal. He was Second in Command to Admirals Harris and Noel during the operations in Crete between 1897 and 1899, and commanded the Medway Gunnery School from 1899 to 1902. He was also A.D.C. to Queen Victoria and to King Edward from 1899 to January 1902, and consequently received the 1902 Coronation Medal. Having been promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1901, he was awarded the K.C.M.G., in 1905 and promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1906. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 18 October 1906. Promoted to Admiral on the Retired List on 22 July 1910, but unfortunately did not live to enjoy a long retirement, dying on 2 February 1911.

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