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

The Somaliland campaign medal to Sergeant H. J. Capon, Royal Marines, who was killed in action in the Dubai Incident, 24 December 1910

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (CH.9910 Sgt. H. J. Capon, R.M.L.I., H.M.S. Hyacinth.) extremely fine and a rare casualty £1,400-£1,800

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

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Henry John Capon, Sergeant, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed in action (bullet wound to centre vertex) at Debai (now Dubai) on 24 December 1910. Four seamen and one marine (Capon) were killed, and five seamen and four marines wounded in this little known action in the Persian Gulf.

In early 1910 information was received aboard Hyacinth that rifles were being stored in houses on the seafront at Debai (also spelt Daibai and Dibai but now known as Dubai). The Sheikh, who had an agreement with the British Government not to export arms, was invited to co-operate in searching for them. A landing party was organised from Hyacinth and at 5.30 a.m. on the 24th December, 48 petty officers and men led by Captain J. D. Dick, the Flag Captain, and 33 marines led by Major G. M. Heriot, R.M.L.I., rowed ashore to begin the search. The Flag Captain proceeded to the Sheikh’s house and obtained permission while Major Heriot’s party began the search. Shortly afterwards the first arms were found, stored under the floor of a house. A number of men returned to the boats to collect picks and shovels and the task continued. After some two hours it became obvious that the Arabs had adopted a threatening attitude and shortly afterwards they opened fire on the Flag Captain’s party near the Sheikh’s house, on Major Heriot’s party and on the crews manning the boats. The whole incident was finished by about 10.20 a.m. after a few six-inch shells from Hyacinth had done some damage. The party was able to withdraw to their boats at about 12.30, accompanied by the Sheikh but with a large armed mob lining the beach.

Henry John Capon was born at Peckham, London, on 23 April 1879. A Porter by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Marines at London on 9 September 1897. He joined Hyacinth in March 1909 and took part in the Somaliland operations (Medal with clasp). Capon was also entitled to the N.G.S. for the Persian Gulf operations but the medal roll notes that his medal was ‘Returned’, presumably to the Royal Mint.

Sold with full details and copied service papers.