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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 455

A Regimentally unique Great War 'Cameroons operations' D.C.M. group of four awarded to Captain J. T. Spender, Nigeria Regiment, West African Frontier Force, late Sergeant, 12th Lancers,

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5787 Sjt: J. T. Spender. 12/Lrs:); 1914-15 Star (5787 Sjt. J. T. Spender: 12/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut J. T. Spender); Jubilee 1935, very fine, the last better (5)

13 D.C.M.'s were awarded to the 12th Lancers for the Great War, this being a unique award for Africa.

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 August 1916;

'For conspicuous good work when in command of a section of mounted infantry throughout the campaign. He carried out excellent reconnaissance patrols, and sent in valuable reports.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 May 1916 (Cameroons).

John Thomas Spender was born on 10 June 1885 at Berwick-on-Tweed. He enlisted at Umballa, India as a Boy into the 12th Lancers in December 1902. He served in India until the 23 October 1910, during which he saved the life of a comrade, as recalled in the The 12th Royal Lancers Journal of September 1909:

'On May 12th our meat having gone bad, Corpl. Spender, Ptes. Amor, Humphries, Bould and myself took our guns and started off in search of something to replenish the larder. Striking a track we went N. for about three miles, working independently, Spender on the left, myself in the centre, Humphries on the right, and agreeing, if anybody wanted to help, to give the pre-arranged signal. Soon two shots were heard from the left, followed by the signal for help. When we got within shouting distance of Spender, he told us he had wounded a panther, but that it had gone off somewhere into the jungle. A discussion ensued, Humphries, Amor and Bould moved off towards an old dry canal on the off chance of tracking the beast in that direction.

I went off towards Spender, who, as I approached him, called out to me to stop, as he could see the panther; he then fired. With a terrible snarl the beast sprang out of the bushes on my left; turning to take aim, my foot caught in the bushes and I stumbled forward. Before I could recover myself, I was dashed to the ground by the beast landing on my head and left shoulder. I seized hold of it by the throat and threw it off, and tried to gain my feet, but it was too quick for me, biting me through the left thigh, pulled me down again and made for my throat. I jammed my left arm in its mouth, and began punching it with my right, getting severely bitten through the left forearm, wrist, and right hand. I shouted to Spender for help, and he at once pluckily ran to my rescue. Summing up all my strength I seized the beast by the throat, holding it up at arm's length. I shouted to Spender to fire, he placed his rifle to the animal's shoulder and fired, the brute dropping limp across me. Amor running up at the time, gave it another one to make sure of it.

By this time I was in a bad way from loss of blood, but thanks to the Scout's knowledge of First Aid, the bleeding was soon stopped, sheets were stripped into bandages and I was made as comfortable as possible. Spender dashing off to the camp for disinfectants and water, while the others started to get me to camp. Bould ran into the station to wire for a doctor. In the meantime, my wounds were dressed and disinfected by the Scouts, and by a stroke of luck a train was sighted running on the line. The scouts waved their helmets and jackets to stop it. I was put into the luggage van and started off on a journey which i shall never forget, being jolted and banged about until 8pm that evening, it being 10 hours before I could get to Bareilly, when the Medical Officer did not think I should ever survive; but, however after having every attendance I pulled round, and six weeks later I was able to be moved to the hills at Landour, and from there I was invalided to England, doing 2 months at Netley. I was then sent to London and treated by Professor Spencer. After three months I was discharged from hospital fit.

I then joined the 5th Lancers, after being one year and three days in hospital, and hope to be with my regiment again by the first boat. I shall ever be grateful to Corp. Spender for so pluckily running to my assistance at the risk of his own life, and also thank all the Scouts for their presence of mind and assistance.'

Spender thence served in South Africa until 8 February 1913 and in West Africa from 13 May 1914, being present in the Cameroons from 4 August 1914 (1914-15 Star). During the campaign, he earned one of just 3 D.C.M.'s which were issued and was also one just five other ranks who were 'mentioned'.

Spender was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the 5th (Mounted Infantry) Battalion, Nigeria Regiment on 13 April 1916, being promoted Captain on 16 August 1919, before retiring on 8 December 1923. He joined the Nigeria Police and became Assistant-Commissioner of Police that same year. Having completed the Senior Police Officers Course at Scotland Yard in 1929, he was Commissioner of Police in 1929 and thence Superintendent of Police in 1937. Retired prior to the Second World War, Spender died at Sheffield in 1963; sold together with copied research.



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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£1600