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”); Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed as issued; Khedive's Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued; 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) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Egypt Medals to the Royal Navy.

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One of only 24 no clasp medals awarded to H.M.S. Supply.

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, Rapson served in H.M.S. Supply from 2 January to 30 October 1882, seeing active service in this sup during the Egyptian campaign. Between January 1883 and March 1895 he saw further service 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.

Sold with copied service record, medal roll extract, and other research.