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

The rare Sudan campaign D.C.M. and Royal Marine M.S.M. group of five awarded to Colour Sergeant Frederick Evan Saddon, Royal Marine Artillery, for services at the battle of Gedid and during the final defeat of the Khalifa in November 1899

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Col. Sejt. F. E. Saddon, R.M.A.) impressed naming; Queen’s Sudan 1896 (2602, Sgt. F. Evan Saddon, R.M.A.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (F. E. Saddon, Col. Sergt. No. 2602 R.M.A.) impressed naming; Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (2602 F. E. Saddon, Colour Sergeant, R.M.A.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 3 clasps, Khartoum, Gedid, Sudan 1899, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (5) £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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Frederick Evan Saddon was born in November 1865 at Portsea, near Portsmouth, Hampshire and was a tailor before enlisting at Eastney on 26 January 1886. On completion of Recruit Training at the Walmer Depot he was posted as a Private to the Royal Marine Artillery on 23 September 1886, and promoted to Gunner on 19 December 1886. He embarked aboard his first vessel H.M.S. Cyclops (July 1887), returned to the R.M.A. Depot (August 1887) and was next afloat aboard Neptune (March 1898) being promoted to Bombardier. In this rate he joined Galatea (July 1889) and Magicienne (April 1890) being promoted to Corporal on 11 July 1891. He returned to the R.M.A. Depot (August 1893) and next joined Victory for Royal Oak (June 1894), promoted to Sergeant 14 September 1894. He again served at the Depot (1894-98), prior to embarking for service with the Egyptian Army in June 1898, being promoted to Colour Sergeant on 25 October 1898.
His service record states that he was mentioned in the despatch published in the London Gazette of 30 January 1900, and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette of 18 September 1900 ‘For services during the final defeat of Khalifa November 1899’. The action at Gedid on 22 November 1899 resulted in the final defeat of the Khalifa and Ahmed Fedil, both of whom were killed, and brought to an end the reconquest of the Sudan. The Royal Marine machine-gunners Seddon, Seabright and Sears all received the D.C.M. for their deadly and decisive work in this battle. A further note on his service record dated 4 April 1899 states ‘Noted by direction of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for excellent service with the Nile Expedition 1898.’

He returned to the R.M.A. Depot in October 1900 and served ashore until discharged on 23 January 1907, having served for 21 years. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in February 1901, and the Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal in 1907. Although nearly 50 years of age, he was called up for War service as a Colour Sergeant on 9 February 1915, but invalided ashore on 20 May 1916.