Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The ‘Witu August 1893’ C.B. group of four awarded to Rear-Admiral George R. Lindley, Royal Navy, who commanded the Naval Brigade and was specially promoted to Captain for services at Witu

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Lieut: G. R. Lindley. R.N. H.M.S. “Achilles”); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu August 1893 (Commr. G. R. Lindley R.N., H.M.S. Blanche.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted for display, minor chips to green enamel wreaths of C.B., some very light contact marks, otherwise good very fine or better (4) £3,000-£4,000

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.

C.B. (Military) London Gazette 12 December 1893: ‘In recognition of services in the late actions at Pumwani and Jongeni, and in the proceedings following upon the establishment of the Protectorate over Witu.’

George Robert Lindley was born on 5 July 1850, at Mars Hall, Mansfield. He was the son of R. C. Lindley and was educated at Dover. He joined Britannia as a Naval Cadet on 9 June 1863, aged 13, and on passing out was awarded a 2nd Class Certificate and gained six months sea time. He was appointed to H.M.S. Victoria in September 1864 and promoted to Midshipman on 30 March 1865. He subsequently served in this rank aboard Constance, January 1868, Cadmus, December 1868 and Barrosa, July 1869. Whilst in the latter ship he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 27 September 1869. He continued to serve in Barrosa until January 1872 when he joined Excellent for study and examinations. On passing out of College he obtained 2nd Class Certificates in Gunnery, Seamanship and Navigation. In May 1873 he joined Agincourt and was promoted to Lieutenant on 28 September 1873.

His first appointment in his new rank was to Excellent for a short Gunnery Course in August 1874, he then served aboard Sultan in November 1874 prior to returning to Excellent in September 1876 for a period of further Gunnery training during which time he was awarded a 2nd Class Certificate in Gunnery.

He next served aboard Audacious, July 1879, followed by Achilles September 1880. Whilst in the latter ship he was landed in Alexandria, Egypt for service with the Naval Brigade during July 1882. For this service he received the Egypt Medal without clasp and Khedive's Star. In August 1883 he returned to Excellent to requalify in Gunnery and on passing he joined Belleisle in November 1883, followed by Curacoa in January 1884. He left this ship on promotion to Commander on 30 June 1886.

His first appointment as a Commander was to Shannon for the Summer Manoeuvres in August 1887. He then served aboard Cambridge, October 1887, Conqueror, July 1889 and Cambridge, September 1889.

He was given the command of Blanche in December 1890 for service in the East Indies Squadron. In August 1893 as Senior Naval Officer East Coast of Africa he was requested by Commissioner Rennell Rodd to accompany him in an expedition to Witu for the purpose of punishing the Sultan of Witu, Furno Omari who had become restless, dangerous and openly defiant and had refused to meet the British Consul General.

A Naval Brigade under Commander Lindley was drawn from H.M. Ships Blanche, Swallow, and Sparrow, and landed at Lamu on 7 August 1893. The towns of Pumwani and Jongeni were attacked and destroyed after a brisk fight. The Naval Brigade lost 1 Stoker killed and 2 officers and 6 seamen wounded. Their mission accomplished, the Naval Brigade returned to their ships on 15 August 1893. Commander Lindley was Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the C.B., received the thanks of the Foreign Office and was specially promoted to Captain on 30 June 1893 for his services.

On leaving Blanche in November 1893 he spent two years ashore on half pay until appointed to President for Senior Officers Course in April 1894. In July 1895 he took command of Thetis for tactical exercises and in December 1895 returned to President for study at the Royal Naval college at Greenwich. His next seagoing appointments were to Melpomene in command, September 1896 and Marathon in command, April 1897. At his own request he was placed on the Retired List on 23 July 1900 when aged 50. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral on the Retired List in June 1905, and died on 1 August 1918.

Sold with 3 Commission documents for Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant, and Commander; a manuscript Diary of service aboard H.M.S. Victoria; two portrait photographs, one in uniform and one in later life with his wife and two daughters, and a copy of a poem written by Rennell Rodd about the Witu Expedition; together with copied record of service and other research.