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

The ‘Gambia 1891-92’ D.S.O. group of three awarded to Captain Ian M. Fraser, Royal Navy, second-in-command of the Naval Brigade and specially promoted to Commander for services in Gambia
Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1891-2 (Lieut. J. M. Fraser R.N., H.M.S. Sparrow.) note first initial; British War Medal 1914-18 (Capt. I. M. Fraser. R.N.) mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £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.

D.S.O. London Gazette 10 January 1893: ‘In recognition of services during the recent operations on the West Coast of Africa, resulting in the capture of Tambi and Toniataba.’ One of three such awards to the Navy for these operations.

Ian Mackenzie Fraser was born on 15 November 1854, at Dundee. He was the eldest son of the late Captain Ian Fraser, 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, of Whitehall, County of Fife, and Charlotte, daughter of the late John Mackenzie of New House, Inverness. He was educated at private school and joined the Royal Navy aboard Britannia on 17 September 1868, aged 13 years 10 months. On passing out in December 1869 he obtained a 1st Class Certificate in Seamanship and a 2nd Class Certificate in Study and was awarded six months sea time. He joined his first ship H.M.S. Duke of Wellington at Portsmouth in December 1869 and on promotion to Midshipman on 23 June 1874, was appointed to the steam corvette Scout. He served five years aboard this ship and saw extensive service in the Pacific being promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 22 December 1874, and on paying off he joined Excellent in June 1875 for study and examination. On passing out he was awarded 2nd Class Certificates in Seamanship and Gunnery and a 3rd Class Certificate in Navigation.

He served short periods aboard Duke of Wellington in June 1875, Defence May 1876, and Monarch June 1876, before joining the steam turret ship Thunderer, serving with the Channel Squadron in April 1877. In August 1879 he transferred to the steam frigate Raleigh on the Mediterranean Station, leaving her in December following his promotion to Lieutenant on 8 December 1879. In the rank of Lieutenant he subsequently served aboard the following ships: St Vincent May 1880, Tenedos November 1882, Royal Adelaide July 1886, Devastation October 1886, Boadicea, for Transport Service April 1888, Agamemnon July 1889, Turquoise October 1889, Boadicea June 1890, Kingfisher September 1890, Marathon December 1890, Duke of Wellington March 1891 and Salamander July 1891.

In August 1891 he was appointed to the Command of the gunboat Sparrow, serving on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station. Whilst in this vessel on the West Africa coast he was landed as Second in Command of the Naval Brigade drawn from H.M. Ships Alecto, Racer, Sparrow and Widgeon. He was present at the night attack on Chief Fodey Kabba at Marigé, Gambia in 1891. He was highly commended in Despatches and received the thanks of the Governor of Gambia and was specially commented on by him to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He again served as Second in Command of the Naval Brigade during the operations in the Gambia in 1892, resulting in the capture of Tambi and Toniataba. He was again Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and, in recognition of his services was specially promoted to Commander.

On returning to England in April 1893 he was placed on half pay until joining Crescent in February 1894. His subsequent sea appointments were Camperdown September 1895, Eclipse March 1897, Bonaventure May 1897, Diana June 1897, Cossack in Command July 1897, Pembroke September 1898, Melita in Command October 1898 and Vivid in January 1902. In 1902 he joined the Coast Guard Service and was appointed a Divisional Inspecting Officer at Hastings. He remained in this posting until 17 March 1904 when he was placed on the Retired List with the rank of Captain.

Following retirement he was appointed for service as a Commander and Instructor at the R.N.V.R. Depot at Liverpool and served in this capacity from 21 June 1904 to 31 March 1908.

He was recalled to active service in July 1915 and appointed to President for Miscellaneous Service under Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves. In this capacity he served as a Division Coast Watching Officer under the Captain of Bristol Division for Areas 7-8 and 9 with Headquarters at Bangor, Wales. In September 1915 he was reappointed as above but with Headquarters at Blundell Sands. He was demobilised on 21 January 1919 and reverted to the Retired List. He died at Liverpool on 2 December 1922.