Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 44

A regimentally unique East and West Africa Medal awarded to Major E. F. C. Evanson, Royal Welch Fusiliers, a non-consular judicial officer in the 'District of the Oil Rivers' in the Niger Coast Protectorate

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895 (Major E. F. C. Evanson, 4 Bn. R.W. Fus.), very fine

Ernest Frederick Charles Evanson was born in Rangoon, Burma on 7 November 1868; by the time of the 1881 Census, he was living with his mother and two siblings in Paddington, London.

Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in December 1887, he was advanced to Lieutenant in the following year and to Captain in February 1893.

About this time Evanson was seconded for duty as a non-consular judicial officer in the 'District of the Oil Rivers' in the Niger Coast Protectorate, a role in which he quickly attracted the approbation of Claude MacDonald, the local Commissioner and Consul-General; in reporting to Lord Rosebery, MacDonald credited the high calibre of the recently raised Oil Rivers Constabulary - afterwards incorporated in the Niger Coast Constabulary (N.C.C.) - to the good work of Evanson, the Adjutant.

It was in the same capacity that Evanson saw action in the Benin and Brass River operations of 1894-95, around 150 Hausas and Yorubas of the N.C.C. accompanying each expedition; the majority of those engaged were members of a Naval Brigade under Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Bedford.

For his own part, Evanson was granted the local rank of Major and commanded his men in the expedition against Chief Nana of Brohemie in September 1894 and was second-in-command in the subsequent operations against Chief Koko in March 1895 (Medal & 2 clasps). In terms of rarity, beyond a regimental level, it appears Evanson was the only military officer to qualify for both the 'Benin River 1894' and 'Brass River 1895' clasps.

Appointed an Hon. Major in January 1904, Evanson resigned his commission in May 1905; sold with a file of copied research.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,600