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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 336

Three: Private Kenan, King's African Rifles

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Nyasaland 1915 (737 Pte. Kenan. H. Coy. 1/K.A.R.); British War and Victory Medals (737 Pte Kennan 1/KAR), note surname spelling, mounted for wear, polished, good fine

82 'Nyasaland 1915' clasps to 'H' Company, 1st Battalion, King's African Rifles.

Kennan served during the operations in the Shire Highlands in the defeat of John Chilembwe. A 'Watch Tower sect' preacher with a large flock in the region, Chilembwe had previously penned a piece regarding 'The voice of the African natives in the present War'. Having met no answer, a three-pronged revolt was set for Saturday 23 January 1915.

What followed was brutal, with the uprising beginning at Magomera with the decapitation and spearing of a number of Europeans. Arms were looted at Blantyre and in Zomba the rebellion was in full swing. With the news spreading, Captains Triscott and Collins hurriedly gathered troops to meet Chilembwe. Collins moved south from Koronga with a double ('H' and 'F') company, moving his troops a remarkable 86 miles in just 47 hours via steamer and forces marches. Reaching the action in time, Chilembwe was killed by the police attempting to escape and 'H' Company duly assisted in rounding up the assailants (The King's African Rifles- A Study in the Military History of East and Central Africa, refers); sold with copied research and medal roll extract.

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Sold for
£220