Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine M.V.O. group of six awarded to Staff Captain T. J. H. Rapson, Royal Navy, who after service in both the Second China War and the Egyptian War of 1882, and having received the Royal Humane Society Medal in 1869, was awarded the M.V.O. for saving H.M.S. Victory from sinking in 1903

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘207’; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860, unnamed as issued; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Staff Comr. T. J. H. Rapson. RN. H.M.S. “Supply”); Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1902, silver; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) (Navg. Sub. Lieut. T. J. H. Rapson 1. September. 1869.) the last lacking integral top riband buckle, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £800-£1,200

M.V.O. Fourth Class London Gazette 9 November 1903:
‘Captain Thomas James Henry Rapson, Royal Navy, Staff Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard. For services in securing the safety of His Majesty’s ship Victory when in peril of sinking.’

Thomas James Henry Rapson entered the Royal Navy on 13 August 1859. Serving as Master’s Assistant on H.M.S. Scout during the Second China War, he took part in the capture of Peiho Forts in 1860 and was in charge of a rocket boat during the operations. He was additionally in charge of the cutter of ‘Scout’ in the boat attack on Maluda pirates on the coast of Borneo, 1862. Promoted Second Master on 11 August 1864 and Navigating Lieutenant on 19 May 1870, between January 1865 and December 1879, he served in H.M. Ships Black Prince, Dromedary, Trinculo, Rosario, Lord Clyde, Rapid, Enchantress and Euphrates. In 1869, whilst serving in H.M.S. Trinculo, Lieutenant Rapson was awarded the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal for saving a ship’s cook from drowning in the sea at Corfu.

Promoted Staff Commander on 18 July 1881 and appointed to H.M.S. Supply on 2 January 1882, he served aboard this ship during the Egyptian War of 1882. Between January 1883 and March 1895, Staff Commander Rapson served in H.M. Ships Ajax, Pembroke, Dreadnought, Duke of Wellington, and Seahorse. He was promoted Staff Captain on 15 July 1896, serving at Portsmouth Dockyard until his retirement on 13 August 1903.

On 23rd October 1903, while under tow a tug to be scrapped, H.M.S. Neptune broke the cables connecting her to the tugs. With the winds and a strong flood tide pushing her, she was pushed back into the harbour but hit the brig Seaflower and rammed H.M.S. Victory, tearing a 5 foot hole in her port side. For his actions in helping to save H.M.S. Victory, Captain Rapson was created a Member of the Royal Victorian Order Fourth Class. He died on 13 March 1909.