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

The magnificent and rare ‘Kassassin’ C.G.M. group of nine awarded to Colour-Sergeant Benjamin White, Royal Marine Artillery, later Yeoman of the Queen’s Body Guard, the first Royal Marine N.C.O. so honoured

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (Color Sergeant B. White, R.M.A.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Cr. Sergt. B. White, R.M.A.); Jubilee 1897, bronze issue; Coronation 1902, bronze issue; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Benjamin White, Sergt. 13th Co. R.M.A.) impressed naming; Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Field Marshal’s bust (No. 206. Benjamin White, Q.M. Sergt. R.M.A.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted court-style as worn, contact marks to the earlier medals, otherwise nearly very fine or better (9) £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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Collection

Dix Noonan Webb, December 2009.

Only 6 C.G.M’s. were awarded for the operations in Egypt 1882, all to the Royal Marines, including two for the battle of Kassassin.

The following citation for Benjamin White’s Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was submitted by Lieutenant Colonel Tuson, R.M., in December 1882:

‘For gallant conduct at Kassassin on 28 August 1882. Having detached a company to prevent the enemy from out-flanking our left, and to prevent two guns advancing up the banks of the canal, which were doing mischief on our line. This Non-Commissioned Officer on two occasions under a very heavy fire, advanced up the Canal Bank and shot the horses each time they limbered up, and so prevented their advance.’

Benjamin White was born in April 1848 in Hatherleigh, Devon, and was a labourer prior to enlisting in the Corps at Exeter on 20 June 1866. He served ashore with the Royal Marine Artillery for nearly two years prior to embarking aboard his first ship H.M.S. Juno in May 1868. He was promoted to Bombardier on 2 April 1874 and to Corporal on 20 March 1875. He embarked aboard Minotaur in August 1875 and was promoted to Sergeant on 27 February 1876. He served ashore for nearly six years during which time he was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 13 January 1881. He was next embarked for service with the Royal Marine Mediterranean Battalion in June 1882 and was landed for service on shore to take part in the battles of Kassassin and Tel-El-Kebir.

He returned to England aboard the SS Greece in October 1882 and disembarked to the R.M.A. Depot, being promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant on 9 December 1882. He continued to serve on shore until 9 April 1888, when he was discharged from the Corps having completed 21 years service. His Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was presented by Queen Victoria at a special Audience held at Windsor Castle on 21 November 1882.

He received the rare distinction of being appointed to the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard on 5 February 1893, being the first Royal Marine N.C.O. so honoured. He served in this capacity until his death in his 90th year on 19 March 1937. Over the course of forty four years he had served three Monarchs and had been the senior serving Yeoman for some years. During his long and faithful service he received the 1897 Jubilee Medal, the 1902 and 1911 Coronation Medals, and the 1935 Jubilee Medal being the only member of the Bodyguard thus honoured.