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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 337

A rare Great War ‘East Africa operations’ M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant D. B. Fox, Nigeria Regiment and Nigeria Railways, decorated and 'mentioned' for his part in the Battles of Mkalama and Mahiwa whilst with the 4th Battalion, who was repeatedly praised by Captain Downes in With the Nigerians in German East Africa and was severely wounded via a gunshot through the shoulder to boot

Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. D. B. Fox.) good very fine (3)

11 M.C.'s awarded to the West African Forces for the Great War.

M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1918. Citation published in With the Nigerians...:

‘Showed the greatest pluck and devotion to duty when in command of the vanguard on the 7th June 1917. He showed the greatest skill in handling his men, and in the fight that followed on this day did some most useful work with a machine gun. Again, at Mahiwa on the 15th October 1917, when his Company were making a reconnaissance, he handled his half-company with the greatest skill during the retirement, and displayed the greatest coolness and courage, setting a very fine example to his men. Later in the retirement, after he himself was wounded, he worked a Lewis gun under the most heavy fire with the greatest skill and so enabled a portion of his Company, that were almost surrounded, to retire.’

David Bernard Fox was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Nigerian Overseas Expedition Brigade on 1 October 1916. He served with the Brigade in East Africa, 10 December 1916-17 November 1917. Having commanded an advanced guard of two sections at Mkalama on 7 June, Fox was severely wounded on 15 October via a gunshot wound through the shoulder during the action at Mahiwa. He had been in command of the rearguard of the scouts with No.16 Company on that occasion. Fox added a 'mention' (London Gazette 7 March 1918, refers) to go with his M.C. before reverting to employment with the Nigerian Railways in 1918. His Medals were issued via the Colonial List on 18 July 1922; sold together with copied research, including MIC and extracts from With the Nigerians in German East Africa, by Captain W. D. Downes, M.C. - which mentions Fox numerous times.

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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£550