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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 122

A regimentally unique Ashanti 1900 Medal awarded to Sergeant A. J. Major, Grenadier Guards, who was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry in the campaign

Ashanti 1900, 1 clasp, Kumassi (Serjt. A. J. Major, Grenadier Guards), good very fine

Arthur John Major was born at Sherbourne, Dorset, and enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in January 1891, aged 18 years. Advanced to Corporal in March 1896, he served on garrison duty in Gibraltar and England prior to transferring to the Army Reserve in March 1898. A few months later, however, he rejoined the Colours and was quickly appointed Lance-Sergeant in his old regiment.

Embarked for West Africa in June 1899, Major was attached to the West African Field Force and, in the following year, joined the Ashanti Field Force as a Sergeant. It was in this capacity that he was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallant conduct in the ensuing Ashanti operations (London Gazette 26 April 1901, refers). Other than his part in the defence of Kumassi, it seems likely Major may well have distinguished himself in the force that had to fight its way to safety after departing the fort in late June 1900.

The nature of that fighting - through a ring of enemy stockades - in appalling conditions of climate and terrain, proved costly: a total of 58 British officers and 10 N.C.Os, and some 900 native troops, became casualties.

In his Ashanti Field Force Orders, dated at Kumassi on 9 October 1900, Colonel Sir James Willcocks, K.C.M.G., D.S.O., noted that the recipient - and six other N.C.Os - were to be invalided home 'at the first available opportunity for the benefit of their health.' On reaching home, they were to report in writing to the Colonial Office.

As noted on the medal roll, the recipient died on 10 October 1901. His D.C.M. had been despatched to the Colonial Office in August of the same year, but whether he ever received it remains unknown; sold with copied research, including the recipient's attestation and service papers and medal roll verification (T.N.A. WO 100/93).


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Sold for
£2,900