Orders, Decorations and Medals

An extremely rare Perak operations C.G.M. pair awarded to Able Seaman H. Bennett, Royal Navy, who cut down some Malays who were about to kill Dr. Townsend of the Buffs during an attack at Kotalama in January 1876

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (Harry Bennett, A.B., R.N., Perak River, 1876), official correction to second letter of surname; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Perak (H. Bennett, A.B., H.M.S. Philomel), edge bruising, contact marks and polished, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £6000-8000

Ex Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 16 October 1996 (Lot 254).

C.G.M. awarded in 1876 in the name of ‘Bonnett’, hence the correction to his surname on the Medal. He won his award jointly with Able Seaman Henry Thompson, one of only three C.G.Ms awarded in this campaign. The following citation was submitted by way of recommendation by Commander E. St. J. Garforth, R.N.:

‘On 4 January 1876, during the attack made by the Malays at Kotalama on Brigadier-General Ross, his Staff and the Philomel’s Naval Brigade, Henry Thompson and Harry Bennett saved the life of Doctor Townsend, attached to the Buffs, by cutting down the Malays who were about to spear him when he was on the ground in a helpless condition, these seamen at the time being separated from the main body, caused through the thickness of the bush.’

Harry Bennett was born at Camberwell, Surrey in August 1854 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1870. Joining the Philomel as an Ordinary Seaman in August 1873, he was landed for service in the Naval Brigade during the Perak operations of 1876, in which, as cited above, he won the C.G.M. Bennett, who had been advanced to Able Seaman in November 1873, purchased his discharge for £12 in November 1878.