Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Able Seaman F. R. Yellop, Royal Navy, who died of wounds received in action with Arabs at Debai, Persian Gulf in December 1910

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (239686 F. R. Yellop, Ord. H.M.S. Hyacinth:); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (239686. F. R. Yellop, A.B. H.M.S. Hyacinth.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, in case of issue, extremely fine (3) £800-£1,000

Frederick Robert Yellop was born at Filby, Norfolk, on 16 January 1891. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Ganges on 3 October 1907, advancing to Boy 1st Class from 1 June 1908. He next joined Cochrane on 25 June 1908, Cressy on 31 September 1908, and Euryalus on 2 October 1908. Whilst in Euryalus he was present in the operations off Messina following the devastating earthquake in the early hours of 28 December 1908, but was not one of the shore party landed from the ship. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman from 16 January 1909, and joined Pembroke on 29 January following in quick succession into Royal Arthur on 13 February and into Hyacinth on 27 March 1909. In Hyacinth Yellop took part in the operations off Somaliland as well as those in the Persian Gulf against gun-runners, being advanced to Able Seaman from 8 July 1910. He was engaged at Debai when a force of about 100 officers and men were landed on 24 December 1910, the local Sheikh being suspected of colluding with the smugglers. Captain J. D. Dick’s despatch of the subsequent fighting that broke out states:

‘After the party had landed, the boats (1st and 2nd Cutters, gig and skiff), made fast astern of the Pinnace, which had anchored overnight abreast the Sheikh’s House, about 40 yards from the beach. Mr George Griffin (Boatswain) with 18 Petty Officers and men, remained in charge of the boats.

About 8.20, at the same time as other parties were attached, a heavy fire from both sides of the Khor, was opened on the boats. They replied with the Pinnace’s 3-pounder and with rifle fire, but any man showing himself above the gunwale of the boats, was immediately made the target for a concentrated fire. Several men were killed and wounded in attempting to work the Pinnace’s 3-pounder and Cutters’ maxims, and these guns were soon silenced. In this connection, I would draw attention to the absence of gun shields. They were abolished some years ago, but would certainly have been useful on this occasion.

I have pleasure in reporting the excellent conduct of all ranks and ratings throughout the affair. The general demeanour was cool and courageous. I neither saw, nor have since heard of, a single instance of shirking. On the other hand, many cases have come to my notice of individuals who were conspicuous above the ordinary.

... Able Seaman John Skene, ON 232381, was conspicuous in working the 3-pounder in the Pinnace until it was damaged by the enemy’s fire. He was well backed up by Able Seaman Charles Monk, ON 204602 and by Able Seaman Frederick Robert Yellop, ON 239686, the latter having succumbed to wounds received while carrying out this duty.’

Able Seaman Yellop was discharged dead on 25 December 1910, ‘from effects of wounds received during an engagement with Arabs at Debai, Persian Gulf on 24 December 1910.’

Casualties in the action amounted to five men killed, one man died of wounds (Yellop), and a further eight men wounded.