Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The Naval General Service medal awarded to Samuel F. Diamond for his services as a Private Royal Marines on board the Tonnant at the battle of Trafalgar

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Samuel F. Diamond) cleaned and lacquered, otherwise good very fine £5,000-£7,000

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

Glendining’s, July 1938; David Spink Collection, June 1985.

53 clasps for Trafalgar issued to H.M.S. Tonnant.

Captain Charles Tyler was appointed to the Tonnant in September 1805, and under him she fought at Trafalgar, on 21 October, where she was the fourth ship in the lee column. She was closely engaged with the Spanish 74s, Monarca and Algésiras, the former of which struck to her, but rehoisted her colours on the Tonnant turning her attention to the other 74, whose bowsprit and anchors got entangled with the main rigging of the Tonnant, and the two ships were held fast together. Though the Algésiras made a plucky attempt to board, she got the worst of the encounter, and after a very gallant defence struck to the Tonnant, and was taken possession of by a party of bluejackets and marines. A party was sent at the same time to take over the Spanish San Juan Nepomuceno, but the boat capsized, nearly drowning the lieutenant in charge.
The Tonnant's injuries were severe. She had all her three topmasts and mainyard shot away, was damaged in the hull, had a bad wound in the rudder, a portion of which was shot away, while a great portion of her starboard quarter piece with the rails and gallery was carried away. Her losses amounted to 76 killed and wounded, amongst the latter being her captain, who was taken below, and had to hand over the ship to the first lieutenant (The Trafalgar Roll by R. H. Mackenzie refers).

Samuel Diamond was born in the Parish of South Bovey, Devon, and attested for the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines on 24 February 1800, aged 22 years. He served as a Private Royal Marines aboard the Tonnant at the battle of Trafalgar, being discharged to Plymouth Headquarters on 24 April 1808, and ‘set off the rolls’ on 30 October 1815, by reason of ‘discharged - lame arm’.