Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 787

Five: Leading Seaman J. G. Hallett, Royal Navy

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (J. G. Hallett, Ord., H.M.S. St. George.); 1914-15 Star (169039, J. G. Hallett, L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (16039 J. G. Hallett. L.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (169039. J. G. Hallett. Ldg. Smn. H.M.S. Hercules.), very fine (5)

John George Hallett was born on 24 April 1877 at Portsea, the son of Ship's Carpenter William H. Hallett of 57 Arnaud Street, Portsea, Hampshire. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 26 August 1892, committing to a 12 year period of engagement on his eighteenth birthday. Sent to St Vincent and Inflexible, he was promoted Boy 1st Class on 24 August 1893 and served as part of the punitive expedition of 1200 men under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., which captured, burned and looted Benin City.

The British success brought an end to the West African Kingdom of Benin and the exile of Oba (King) Ovonramwen to Calabar, Nigeria, with two of his wives, Queen Egbe and Queen Aighobahi. The King never returned, dying in 1914 (Servants of the Dynasty: Palace Women in World History, refers). The works taken by the British, collectively known as the 'Benin Bronzes' were a treasure trove of bronze and ivory sculptures, all of which were executed with a mastery of lost-wax casting; today, perhaps as few as fifty pieces remain in Nigeria, the majority - approximately 2,400 pieces - being held in European and American collections (Historia Universal del Arte, by Carmen Huera, refers).

Posted to a wide variety of warships and shore establishments, Hallett was promoted Leading Seaman aboard Indefatigable on 1 September 1901 and spent the entire duration of the Great War from 1 August 1911-17 February 1919 aboard the dreadnought battleship Hercules. Present aboard her at Jutland, Hercules was the twenty-third ship from the head of the battle line, and is noted as scoring a possible two hits upon the battlecruiser Seydlitz. She received no damage herself during the battle, but fired a total of 98 twelve-inch shells and 15 shells from her 4-inch armament (Jutland: An Analysis of the Fighting, refers). Surviving the encounter unscathed, Hallett was demobilised on 31 December 1918 and soon thereafter joined the Royal Fleet Reserve; sold with copied service record.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£380

Starting price
£200