Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

Four: Chief Gunner Charles Davidge, Royal Navy, who was mentioned in despatches and specially promoted for services at the capture of the Hsi-ku Armoury in 1900

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (Act. Gunr. C. Davidge. R.N. H.M.S. Centurion); 1914-15 Star (Ch. Gnr. C. Davidge. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. Gnr. C. Davidge. R.N.) mounted as worn, extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

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

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Charles Davidge was born at Trinity-in-Darlington, Co. Durham, on 26 October 1871, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd class in February 1887, becoming Petty Officer 1st Class in May 1897. He was promoted to Acting Torpedo-Gunner of Centurion in February 1900 and took part in the Pekin relief expedition as part of the naval brigade under Sir Edward Seymour. The force, some 2000 strong, attempted to relieve Pekin proceeding there by rail from Tientsin. Succesful actions were fought at Lang-fan but at length they were compelled to retreat in the face of vastly superior numbers of Boxers and Chinese regulars. Retreating towards Tientsin they captured the formidable arsenal of Hsi-ku on 22nd June and held it until relieved on 26th June. This armoury was said to contain some £3,000,000 worth of warlike stores, including a million rounds for .303 inch Maxims, which fitted the British rifles, and much Mauser ammunition. The Russians and Japanese, being out of their own ammunition, were thereupon re-armed with Mausers from the Armoury.

With the arrival of the relief column under the Russian Colonel Shirinsky, composed of forces of the various nations, Sir Edward Seymour made provisions for the evacuation of the Armoury. The wounded were taken back across the river that afternoon, the whole force following later and bivouacked on the river bank for the night. It only remained for him to order the destruction of the Armoury and its immense and valuable stores. This last work he entrusted to Lieutenant Lowther-Crofton and Acting Torpedo-Gunner Charles Davidge, both of the Centurion, who alone remained behind for the purpose.

Admiral Seymour in his despatch from Tientsin, 27th June, 1900, says:- “After the return march had commenced, Lieutenant Lowther-Crofton, and Mr Charles Davidge, Acting Gunner, remained behind to set fire to the ammunition and other storehouses in the Armoury. Fires were set in five separate places, and judging by the great volume of smoke continually rising, with occasional explosions, the destruction must have been fairly complete. After doing their work, these officers crossed the river, mounted ponies which were waiting for them, and rejoined the main body”.

Davidge was promoted to Chief Gunner on 6 February 1913, “specially for services during the operations in China.” During the Great War he commanded various gunboats at Portsmouth, and in 1919 was appointed to H.M.S. Vernon as Commissioned Gunner for service on the staff of the Captain Superintendent of Contract Built Ships, Clyde District. Promoted to Lieutenant in April 1920, he was placed on the Retired List in 1924, and promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on the Retired List. He died on 13 August 1960 at the age of 89.

Sold with copied record of service and some further research including a quantity of copy photographs of various ships that Davidge served aboard during his career.