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

Family group:

The extremely rare and unusual Iraq 1920 operations D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant C. Downs, Royal Garrison Artillery, attached Inland Water Transport, whose gallant deeds saved the defence vessel Grey Fly after she came under heavy fire on the Euphrates

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1402109 Sjt. C. Downs, R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (20700 Bmbr. C. Downs. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (20700 Sjt. C. Downs. R.A.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (20070 Sjt. C. Downs. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1402109 Sjt. C. Downs. D.C.M. R.G.A.) one or two edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better

Pair: Private A. Downs, Manchester Regiment

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (2086 Pte. A. Downs, 2/Manch R.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, light pitting and bruised over unit, otherwise very fine (8) £2,600-£3,000

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

Just 32 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded between the Wars, and only around six of these were for the Iraq operations.

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 January 1921:

‘For conspicuous gallantry on 20 August 1920 whilst the defence vessel Grey Fly was proceeding towards Samawah. Being under close fire from the enemy an awning caught fire, and Sergeant Downs drew water from the river, climbed over the roof and put out the fire, and saved the ship.’

As verified by the History of The Royal Regiment of Artillery - Between the Wars 1919-39, by Major-General B. P. Hughes, C.B., C.B.E., another defence vessel - the Fire Fly - employed in these operations was less fortunate, being sent to the bottom of the Euphrates off Kufa by an 18-pounder which had been captured by the Arabs at Hillah - although the breech block had been removed before its capture, the enemy managed to forge a rough substitute. This was just three days before Downs won his D.C.M. in the Grey Fly, while en route to the relief of Samawah, about 70 miles from Kufa.