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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 366

A rare 'Gambia 1894' D.S.O. and K. St J. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Morgan, Army Medical Department, the Principal - and sole - Medical Officer in the operations against the Sofas, 1893-94, who was thrice 'mentioned' in a career which included being appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the 17th Battalion, Rifle Brigade

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, top riband bar adapted for mounting; The Order of St. John, Knight of Justice set of insignia, comprising neck Badge, silver and enamel, suspension stamped 'JBC', breast Star, silver and enamel, with gold retaining pin, reverse stamped 'JBC'; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Surgeon A. H. Morgan. A.M. Dept.); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, 1891-2, 1893-94, (Surg: Capt. A. H. Morgan. A.M.S.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Major A. H. Morgan, D.S.O. R.A.M.C.); Khedive's Star 1882, mounted cavalry-style as worn where applicable, very fine (7)

Just 6 D.S.O.'s awarded for the West African (Gambia) operations of 1894, of which two went to the Royal Navy.

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 June 1894:

'In recognition of services during the operations on the West Coast of Africa.'

Knight of Justice, Order of St. John, 29 November 1904 (H.A. 26 February 1901).

Antony Hickman Morgan was born on 29 June 1858 at Dublin, where he qualified 1880. Having entered the Army as a Surgeon on 5 February 1881, he initially served in the Egypt in 1882 (Medal).

Morgan subsequently spent a busy period on the West Coast of Africa and served in the Expedition against the native chief, Fodey Kabba, 1891-92 (Medal & clasp). He was next actively employed in the expedition against the Sofas, 1893-94, being 'mentioned' (London Gazette 27 February 1894, refers) and commended for his part:

'Surgeon-Major A. H. Morgan, A.M.S., was Senior Medical Officer to the expedition, and, owing to the miscarriage of a letter sent to the Medical Officer at Kommendi, was in sole charge of the wounded from December 19 to January 7. The difficulties in transporting the wounded in hammocks over a country such as the expedition traversed, and where the cutlass was constantly required to cut a way, seemed to me at times almost insurmountable, and that the expedition was not greatly delayed was entirely due to Surgeon-Major Morgan's great personal energy.'

In 1894 he was again on active service in Gambia in the expedition against the native chief, Fodey Silah, winning a second 'mention' (London Gazette 4 May 1894, refers) besides his rare award of the D.S.O.

Retired on the 12th February 1896, Morgan was appointed Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 17th (Volunteer) Battalion, Rifle Brigade on 7 July 1897. Recalled for service during the Boer War he served aboard the hospital ship Princess of Wales before coming ashore in the Cape Colony (Medal & clasp) as Officer Commanding troops and Principal Medical Officer, where he earned a third and final 'mention' (London Gazette 17 June 1902, refers).

A busy retirement followed, including service as High Sheriff of County Cork in 1904 and unsuccessfully contesting the Isle of Wight as a Conservative candidate in 1906. He was additionally a Justice of Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for County Cork, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Royal Zoological Society, and also a member of the Iron and Steel Institute. Morgan enjoyed many happy years at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, where he was a long-served member of the Royal Yacht Squadron. He also held membership of the Army and Navy, Carlton, Hurlingham, Royal St. George’s Yacht, Royal Northern Yacht, Royal Cork Yacht and Royal Highland Yacht Clubs. The Lieutenant-Colonel died at Cowes on 29 September 1924, and is commemorated by a large marble plaque at Holy Trinity, Cowes; sold together with an original postcard featuring a portrait of the recipient.


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Estimate
£5,000 to £6,000