Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 September 2013

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 1399

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20 September 2013

Hammer Price:
£600

Four: Sergeant C. W. Burrill, Royal Marine Light Infantry - in command of the Royal Marines at Benin 1897 and mentioned in despatches, latterly a Second Lieutenant in the Labour Corps

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (Sergt., H.M.S. Philomel); 1914-15 Star (Ch.3357 Sgt., R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch.3357 Sgt., R.M.L.I.) ‘Victory’ officially re-impressed, first with edge bruise, very fine and better (4) £600-800

Charles William Burrill was born in Lambeth, London on 18 February 1867 and enlisted into the Royal Marines on 18 November 1884. He landed with the Naval Brigade at Zanzibar, 27 August 1896 (the shortest war ever!). Served in the Benin Expedition where he landed with the Naval Brigade and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 7 May 1897) -

‘Sergeant Burrill, who had charge of the marines the whole time, behaved with great coolness on the 10th, the marines forming the advanced guard in entering the town and the rear guard when embarking; and throughout the time the force has been landed he has carried out all duties assigned to him with great ability and judgment.’

During the Great War Burrill was serving on the protected cruiser
Hermes when she was torpedoed and sunk by the U-27 in the Straits of Dover, 31 October 1914. Burrill was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Labour Corps in September 1917. He relinquished his commission whilst retaining his rank in March 1919. With a folder containing service papers and research.