Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The unique ‘Nyassaland 1893’ C.M.G., ‘Royal service’ M.V.O., Africa operations group of nine awarded to Admiral Charles Hope Robertson, Royal Navy, who commanded gunboat expeditions against Chief Liwondi and on Lake Nyassa, as well as serving on the gunboats of the Nile Flotilla during the re-conquest of the Sudan

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, with ribbon buckle; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ’261’; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Liwondi 1893, Lake Nyassa 1893 (Lieut. C. H. Robertson R.N., H.M.S. Herald); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Comr. C. H. Robertson, R.N.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. C. H. Robertson. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. H. Robertson. R.N.R.); Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Hafir, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (9) £16,000-£20,000

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

Sotheby’s, November 1996; Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

C.M.G. London Gazette 4 January 1895: ‘For various arduous operations against Natives in the Nyassaland Protectorate.’

M.V.O. (4th Class) London Gazette 12 May 1905. In command of H.M.S. Cornwall on the occasion of His Majesty’s cruise in the Mediterranean.

Charles Hope Robertson, was born in 1856, entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1869 aged 13 years. He was promoted Midshipman in 1872; Sub Lieutenant in 1875; and Lieutenant in 1879. In 1892 whilst serving as Commanding Officer of the river gunboat Herald, and as Senior Naval Officer on the Zambesi River, he was given the task of transporting up river, and over land, 3 small gun boats which had been sent out from England in sections. It was the intention that they would be reassembled on Lake Nyassa and used to increase the British presence in the face of Portuguese aggression.

Whilst engaged in carrying out this task, Robertson heard that the rebel Chief Liwondi had besieged the British Commissioner, Harry Johnson, in a small stockade and at once set out to rescue him. He was joined en route by the gunboat Mosquito. Following the successful rescue, he returned to his original task which he accomplished in half the time allotted by the Admiralty. The gun boats Dove, Adventure and Pioneer were reassembled and launched on Lake Nyassa in June and July 1893.

Later in 1893, whilst In command of the new gun boat Adventure, Robertson sailed to punish the rebel Chief Makanjira who had overthrown the friendly Chief Junbe. For these two successful services in East Africa he was promoted to Commander and received the East and West Africa medal with the unique clasp combination 'Liwondi 1893' and 'Lake Nyassa 1893', and awarded the C.M.G. - this being the first time that this decoration was given to such a junior naval officer.

In 1896 he volunteered for service with the Nile Flotilla then being assembled for the re-conquest of the Sudan. A brother officer of this time was Commander David Beatty, later of Jutland fame. He commanded the gun boat Zaffir and later the El Teb; in 1897 he took part in the Dongolla expedition, and was present at the action at Hafir. His services in the Sudan were recognised by the award of the Queen's Sudan Medal, the Order of Osmanieh 4th Class, and the Khedive's Sudan medal with clasp 'Hafir' - this being one of 4 such medals to naval officers.

Promoted to Captain in 1899 at the young age of 34, he was awarded the M.V.O. in 1905 for services to the King as Commanding Officer of H.M.S. Cornwall, escort ship to the Royal yacht, during Kind Edward VII’s visit to the Mediterranean. He reached Flag Rank in 1908, and in 1909, aged 53 years, he was retired by order of the King. Family papers suggest a degree of over-friendliness with Queen Alexandra that was unacceptable to Edward VII.

Promoted to Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1914, he volunteered his services on the outbreak of War and in 1915 he accepted an appointment as a Captain in the Royal Naval Reserve. Throughout the War he served in the Auxiliary Patrol, being promoted to Admiral on the Retired List in 1917. Admiral Robertson died on 16 January 1942.

Sold with original Warrant of appointment to the Royal Victorian Order, and Commission Warrant for promotion to Rear-Admiral, together with extensive research including records of service and medal verification.