Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Fleet Engineer Commander W. J. Mabb, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. I. Mabb. Engr. R.N. H.M.S. “Beacon”); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Brass River 1895, Benin 1897 (W. J. Mabb, Ch. Engr R.N., H.M.S. Barrosa.); China 1900, no clasp (Flt. Engr. W. J. Mabb, R.N., H.M.S. Aurora.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, minor contact marks, very fine (4) £700-£900

William John Mabb was born on 13 May 1855 and entered the Royal Navy on 23 September 1876. Commissioned Acting Engineer on 1 April 1877 and Engineer on 23 March 1882, he served as Engineer of H.M.S Beacon during the Egyptian War, and was present during the bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July 1882. He was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir B. Seymour for ‘his zeal and constant attention contributed much towards the success of the work.’

Promoted Chief Engineer on 20 February 1891, Mabb served as Chief Engineer of H.M.S. Barrosa during the punitive expedition against King Koko, of Nimby, the chief town of Brass, on the River Niger, which was destroyed in February 1895. Promoted that month to Staff Engineer (Commander) and still with Barrosa, he next served in the punitive naval expedition sent to punish the King of Benin for the massacre of the political expedition, 1897, ending in the capture of Benin City, 18 February 1897. Promoted Fleet Engineer on 20 February 1899, he served in H.M.S. Aurora during the China War 1900, before retiring on 21 May 1907.

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