Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The unique Majuba Hill C.G.M. awarded to Sick Berth Attendant William Bevis, H.M.S. Boadicea, whose recommendation for a Victoria Cross was blocked by the War Office

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (William Bevis. Sick Berth Attendant H.M.S. Boadicea) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £9000-12000

Ex Lieutenant-Colonel Jay Collection.

Sick Berth Attendant William Bevis, served with the Naval Brigade during The First Boer War and was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his bravery in company with Surgeon Mahon R.N. during Sir George Colley's withdrawal from Majuba Hill. Bevis was actually recommended for the Victoria Cross but the G.O.C., Natal, Major General Sir Evelyn Wood turned down the recommendation with a terse letter to the Horse Guards “Sir, I have carefully perused the whole of the enclosed correspondence relative to the conduct of Surgeon Mahon and Sick Berth Attendant Bevis and the opinion I have formed therefrom is that the circumstances do not justify me in recommending either Surgeon Mahon, or Bevis for the distinction of the Victoria Cross; if Surgeon Mahon, and Bevis had been soldiers I would have suggested that the surgeon should be commended for his praiseworthy conduct, and that the man should receive the Distinguished Service Medal

It is strange that Sir Evelyn Wood did not wish to confirm the recommendation, so strongly had Commodore Sir Frederick Richards made it, “... I submit herewith for the consideration of my Lords a copy of a letter which I had the honor to address to His Excellency General Sir Evelyn Wood K.C.B., V.C. who succeeded to the Command of His Majesty's Forces in Natal... Their Lordships will observe that in accordance with etiquette, and also with reference to the statutes of the Order of the Victoria Cross I made a submission to them relative to honours when reporting on the meritorious conduct of Surgeon Mahon and W. Bevis, but being satisfied myself that both have fairly earned the distinction of the Victoria Cross, I beg most respectfully to submit my opinion to their Lordships with a view to the question being referred to General Sir Evelyn Wood in case my letter may have miscarried...”

It was to no avail, their Lordships concluded against Bevis. Commodore Richards was informed on 30 January, 1882, that
“Bevis having been already advanced is not to be further promoted, but to be given the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal”.

The following extract is taken from The Royal Navy, A History 1857-1900 by W. L. Clowes:

“Earlier in the day a hospital had been established behind a ridge of rocks near the centre of the plateau. The enemy crowned the rocks, and fired upon all indiscriminately, shooting down a doctor while he was caring for the wounded. Perceiving how things had gone, Surgeon Mahon, who but lately had quitted Romilly in order to cross to the hospital, returned to his Commander's side, and, to save further slaughter of the wounded and non-combatants, hoisted a white flag. All the fugitives, however, were not then clear of the top, and firing continued on the summit. To avoid the bullets, Mahon and Assistant Sick-Berth Attendant Bevis, who was with him, lay down till the plateau was clear of their flying friends, and until the enemy was within a few paces from them. When they rose, they were not molested, and were suffered to carry poor Romilly to the hospital from the point where he had lain sheltered on the south-west front.

Throughout that afternoon and the following night Mahon remained on the mountain, seeking out and attending to the wounded, and receiving much kindly help from the enemy. He took upon himself to send four blue-jacket prisoners to carry Romilly back to camp; but, soon after they had started, they were ordered back by the enemy, the result being that the unfortunate Commander had to lie in the open during the whole of the wet, dark, and chilly night of the 27th. At 6 a.m. on the 28th, Lieutenant Cochran came up from camp with a burial party, and with stretchers and medical comforts. Of the fifty-three men who were buried on the summit, ten belonged to the Naval Brigade... Mahon who reached camp at 5 p.m. on the 28th, with five ambulances full of wounded, behaved throughout with magnificent devotion and gallantry, and was specially promoted. In the opinion of all those who were left on the fatal hill, he deserved the Victoria Cross.”

Further details
(ADM. 1/6572) of the controversy, together with the full text of Surgeon Mahon’s report on Majub Hill accompany the lot. Bevis’s South Africa 1879 and Long Service Medals are understood to have been lost during the Blitz after the premises of Spink and Son had been damaged by enemy action.