The rare ‘Benin 1897’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Staff Surgeon J. Mc C. Martin, Royal Navy, later Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (J. Mc. C. Martin, St. Surgn. D.S.O., H.M.S. Forte); China 1900, no clasp (St. Surgn. J. Mc. C. Martin, R.N., D.S.O. H.M.S. Barfleur); 1914-15 Star (Major J. Mc C. Martin, D.S.O. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. Mc C. Martin) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (6) £8000-10000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine collection of awards for the Boxer Rebellion 1900.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 25 May 1897: ‘In recognition of services during the recent Expedition to Benin.’ One of only five such awards for Benin 1897.

James McCardie Martin was born in 1859, at Camus House, Coleraine, third son of the Rev. John F. Martin. He was educated at the Academical Institution, Coleraine, and at Edinburgh University where he qualified L.R.C.P. and L.R.C.S. in 1880. He joined the Royal Navy in 1882, reached the rank of Staff Surgeon in 1884, and served with the Royal Marine Battalion in the Benin Expedition, as Senior Medical Officer of the Flying Column, in the operations up to and including the capture of the city of Benin. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. for gallantly carrying the mortally wounded Dr Fyfe, R.N., surgeon of the St George, off the field.

During the China war of 1900 he was Senior Medical Officer aboard the battleship Barfleur, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir James Bruce, K.C.M.G., at Yaku, during the Pekin Relief Expedition. He retired in 1904 with the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Fleets and Hospitals, but served again during the Great War as a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps from 1915.