Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The important campaign group awarded to Vice-Admiral C. S. Cardale, Royal Navy, who was second-in-command of the Naval Rocket Brigade in the Abyssinian Expedition

Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Abyssinia 1867 (Lieut. C. S. Cardale, H.M.S. Satellite); Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Capt. C. S. Cardale, R.N., H.M.S. “Euphrates”); Jubilee 1897, silver; Order of Osmanieh, 2nd class set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver, gilt and enamels, the badge with chips to most arms, contained in its original case of issue with full neck cravat, the first five contained in a fitted case by E & E. Emanuel, Portsea, both cases damaged, generally very fine or better (7) £3000-3500

Charles Searle Cardale was born in London on 21 April 1841, 5th son of John Bate Cardale. He was educated at Rottendean, near Brighton, and entered the Navy in 1854, seeing service in the Baltic in the James Watt during the Russian War 1854-55 (Baltic Medal). As First Lieutenant of Satellite he served against pirates on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula and in the Nicobar Expedition 1867.

Cardale landed with the 100-strong Naval Rocket Brigade in Abyssinia in 1868, and as Senior Lieutenant and second-in-command to Commander T. H. B. Fellowes, R.N., he joined the advance division and was engaged at the battle of Arogee, and at the taking of Magdala.

The battle on Arogee plateau, beneath the rising rock mass leading through Fahla to the fortress of Magdala, took place on 10 April 1868. The First Brigade approached this plain by two steep routes, with the 4th Regiment committed to a most difficult perpendicular track, and the Rocket Brigade and baggage train allowed the easier but still precipitous King’s Road. Unfortunately the wrong column arrived first, to come under artillery fire from the heights of Fala, and to the sight of thousands of would-be plunderers rushing down from the rocky slopes across the plateau. The Commander-in-Chief was on the spot to see this scene, and promptly directed the Rocket Brigade to form up on a commanding position, dismount their batteries and open fire on the enemy. Commander Fellowes later reported that: “Such was the ease with which the rocket tubes could be handled and brought into action, that the Royal Naval Brigade were enabled to return the first shot..”.

Cardale was twice mentioned in despatches and promoted to Commander for these services (Abyssinian Medal). He was Captain of Euphrates during the Egyptian Expedition in 1882 (Medal and Khedives Star), and subsequently commanded the Iris (1885-87), Agamemnon (1887-Oct. 1890), and Iron Duke (1891-92). He was Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria, January 1891 to 5 April 1892, on which date he was promoted to Rear-Admiral. He served as Hon. Secretary of the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum and as Chairman of the Royal Sailors’ Home. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral in January 1899, retired in March 1900, and died on 1 June 1904. See the following Lot for the medals awarded to his brother.