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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 115

Pair: Captain R. S. P. MacIvor, 129th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Baluchis, who earned a mention for his gallantry at the Battle of Mwenge at Kibata, German East Africa

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. R. S. P. Macivor. 129-Baluchis), very fine (2)

Robert Sandeman Peisley MacIvor was born on 7 October 1889, son of Major Ivor MacIvor and was educated at Winchester College. Entering the Indian Army in 1913, he served with the 129th Baluchis during the Great War in East Africa. They had landed at Mombasa in January 1916 and were soon thrown into the actions against forces of the German commander, Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. The 129th Baluchis took part in the advance of its Brigade down the Pangani River and then southwards towards the German Central Railway. This railway line linked Dar Es Salaam on the Indian Ocean with Lake Tanganyika in the interior. They halted at Handeni, north of the railway, from where it was despatched to Tanga on the coast. Here the Baluchis embarked for Bagamoyo, just north of Dar Es Salaam. On 31st August 1916 the march on Dar Es Salaam began, and after minor skirmishing en route the Baluchis led the way into the captured town on 5 September.

The enemy coastal towns in the south of German East Africa were now occupied but movement away from the coast was not made except at Kilwa. Here preparations were in hand to move a British force inland to block the withdrawal of the Schutztruppe units that were fighting along the Rufiji River. In late September the 129th Baluchis landed at Kilwa.

They gave noble service in the most testing of conditions, including the events that led to the capture of Kibata. At the beginning of January 1917 Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck withdrew six of his nine companies from the Kibata area and moved them towards the Rufiji River. The Soldier's Burden continues:

'As the Germans withdrew to Mwengei the 129th Baluchis followed them up supported by two KAR companies and a section of the mountain battery. At Mwengei, from where the German heavy guns had been firing, a serious fight developed. The road was hilly and thickly bushed on either side, necessitating good picqueting drills which slowed the advance. As the Baluchis approached the location where the German 4.1-inch naval gun was being hauled away by African labour gangs, the withdrawing enemy formation, Abteilung Schulz, entrenched itself and fought.'

Attacks went in over the coming days, suffering heavy casualties, MacIvor being noted as Adjutant for the period. The gun from the Konigsburg was later found to have been dragged away and destroyed. MacIvor and seven others - Captain G.A. Phillips VD; Jemadar Sikandar Khan; 2630 Colour Havildar Alim Shah; 3659 Havildar Imam Din; 757 Sepoy Misri Khan; 225 Naik Mohamed Rahim; 290 Havildar Sardar Shah - were 'mentioned' (London Gazette 7 March 1918, refers).

MacIvor retired after the Great War and lived at Waterloo Cottage, Ballinderry, County Tipperary. He died at Montreal, Canada on 25 May 1941.

Please see https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-kings-african-rifles-at-kibata-german-east-africa-december-1916-to-january-1917/ and http://www.kaiserscross.com/188001/447622.html for further details.


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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£110

Sale 21002 Notices
Additionally entitled to an India General Service Medal 1908-35, with clasp 'Waziristan 1921-24'. Medal known to exist in a Private Collection.