Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (E. D. Howlett, Gr. R.M.A., H.M.S. St. George) toned, nearly extremely fine and a rare casualty

Gunner E. D. Howlett, Royal Marine Artillery, was killed in action outside Benin City on 18 February 1897 (London Gazette 7 May 1897). On this day, after a running bush fight for five hours, Benin was reached and taken. The town was found to be in the most terrible state from human sacrifices offered to delay the advance. Seven pits, forty to fifty feet deep, were discovered, with twelve to fifteen bodies in each, the dead and the dying being intermingled.

Three officers and eight men of the Naval Brigade were killed during this expedition. Gunner Howlett’s medal was sent to his father on 24 April 1898.