Auction: 14002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 8
A Good 'Ashantee 1873-74' C.G.M. Pair to Gunner's Mate J. Screech, Royal Navy, For His Gallantry at the Battle of Amoaful, 31.1.1873
a) Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd type (J. Screech. Gunr's Mate R.N. Amoaful)
b) Ashantee 1873-74, one clasp, Coomassie (J. Screech, P.y. Offr. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Amethyst. 73-74), suspension claws tightened, minor edge bruising, therefore very fine, mounted for wear (2)
C.G.M. Citation provided by Captain J.H. Grubbe, RN, via Lieutenant F.S. Mann, R.N., 'CS.52343 Joseph Screech, Gunner's Mate, H.M.S. Amethyst - At Amoaful [31.1.1874] commanded a detachment to cover Bush Cutting party with much coolness; this service was performed under a heavy fire.'
At the battle of Amoaful Screech served as part of the Naval Brigade on the Left Wing under the command of Captain J.H. Grubbe. This formed part of the Right Column under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.H. Wood, V.C. Both Grubbe and Wood were wounded in Wolseley's hard fought victory. The Naval Despatch of Commodore W.N. Hewett, V.C., R.N. (London Gazette 6.3.1874) gives the following, 'On the evening of the 30th of January our troops and carriers were massed at Insarfu, and early on the following morning they advanced in four columns to attack a strong force of the enemy, who had established themselves a short distance south of Amoaful.
Without attempting to give the details of the General's plan of operations, I will endeavour to afford such particulars as will enable their Lordships to gain some idea of position occupied by the Naval Brigade during the engagement.... The Naval Brigade was divided into two wings, one, under Captain Walter James H. Grubbe, of Her Majesty's ship Tamar, being attached to the left column, and the other, under Acting Captain Percy P. Luxmore, of Her Majesty's ship Druid to the right.
On the advance being made the right and left columns were ordered to cut paths at right angles to the main road, for a distance of 300 yards into the bush, and then to form upon the flanks of the 42nd Regiment, who, in the front column, were making their way through the thick bush on either side of the road.
The enemy's centre was at Amoaful, and throwing out two columns towards us in a diagonal direction, they formed, as it were, a broad arrow with the main path, in which order they received our attack.
After suffering very heavy losses the 42nd Highlanders eventually captured the town at 1.45pm.
I have great pleasure in acquainting their Lordships with the steady behaviour of the Naval Brigade. During a very trying time they showed the greatest coolness, and, advancing slowly under a continous and heavy fire, steadily drove back the enemy until three o'clock, when they forced them to precipitate retreat, and the day was ours.
Although it is quite impossible to give even an approximate estimate of the strength of the enemy opposed to us, I should say, from the number of Ashantee corpses we have taken from the road side and buried, there must have been several thousands of them.'
Joseph Screech, C.G.M., was born in Saltash, Cornwall, 1836.
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Sold for
£9,500