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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 458

The rare D.C.M. pair awarded to Shawish Abdel Rahman Ahmed, Equatorial Battalion, Egyptian Army, for his gallantry during the Turkhana patrol in 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2006 Shawish Abdel Rahman Ahmed, 6/Coy. Equatorial Bn), minor official correction to company number; Khedive’s Sudan 1910-22, 2nd issue, 1 clasp, Aliab Dinka, unnamed, very fine (2)

1 of 3 D.C.M.'s awarded to the Egyptian Army.

D.C.M. London Gazette 20 April 1920:

'For distinguished service in connection with operations against the northern Turkana and kindred tribes on 3 July 1919.'

Also mentioned in the Special Army Order from Khartoum, 18 January 1921 where the Sirdar publishes to the Army the names of those in the Egyptian Army and Sudan Government Services who had been brought to the notice of His Highness the Sultan for good services rendered in connection with the operations against the Aliab Dinkas in 1919-20.

Abdel Rahman Ahmed was one of 200 Rifles of the Equatorial Battalion as part of the Sudan Force that also comprised half a Company of Mounted Infantry and 1 section of Maxim Battery.

The London Gazette gives more detail on the actions themselves:

'A temporary base was established at Loyoro and an advanced base at Kabua, due east of Loyoro and near the shores of Lake Rudolf. Whilst these preparations were in progress the Sudan force executed a small patrol against Turkana who had recently moved to Mount Zingot, and captured a number of cattle. The East Africa Force meantime operated against Turkana South of the Turkwel River, capturing a quantity of stock.

Towards the end of February a somewhat serious situation arose owing to the dis-affection of a detachment of 1/6th King's African Rifles, who had proceeded to the advanced base at Kabua. It should be explained that this detachment, which was sent to relieve another King's African Rifles unit in Turkana, was composed of native ranks who had formerly served with the German forces, and had been recruited in the conquered territory of German East Africa, and was not drawn from an ordinary King's African Rifles battalion. This caused a certain delay, as it was necessary to relieve the dis-affected men and replace them with other troops from Nairobi. Further obstacles to progress were created by a serious outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis.

After further delays due to transport difficulties, the combined forces, which had concentrated at Kabua, moved off on the 20th April 1918, on concentrated patrols, which radiated from Lomogol round the Lorusia Mountains. Major Rayne's force met and dispersed a party of Turkana and Abyssinian marauders on May 6th, and a detachment of major White's column, under Captain Yardley, D.S.O., defeated a large force of Turkana on 8th and 9th May. Further patrols on 13th and 16th May encountered scouting parties including Abyssinian marauders near Lomogol, the enemy retreating on being attacked. A certain number of Turkana tribesmen moved into Abyssinian territory, while another body were reported as wishful of making peace. Numbers of stock, totalling 3,658 cattle and 1,810 donkeys, were captured, the enemy casualties numbering 141 killed and an uncertain number of wounded, as the result of these operations. The combined forces concentrated again at Katome, west of Lomogol.

On 27th May further patrols were organised with a view to sweeping the Lorusia Mountains, lying roughly between Lomogol and Katome, and ridding them of the enemy. The column under Captain Yardley, D.S.O., encountered a strong hostile force in thick bush at Kangala, and immediately attacked. After five hours' fighting the enemy retired from hostilities, having suffered heavily, and, in view of the strength of the enemy force, Captain Yardley did not further engage him. The force consisted of some 400 rifles, mostly Abyssinian marauders, with some mounted men who took no part in the fight, and suffered casualties to the number of 33 killed and an unknown number of wounded. Five rifles were captured, our casualties amounting to three native officers killed, also three other ranks and two followers. The other two columns under Major Rayne and Major White hastened to get into touch with Captain Yardley's column, but were unable to do so prior to the enemy's retirement. The whole force concentrated at Lomogol.

It had been considered whether a post should be provisionally established at Lomogol, but in view of the danger of troops stationed there being cut off by Abyssinian marauders, it was eventually decided to evacuate the Lomogol line, and to hold a line to the south. The decision was confirmed by this Government on the ground that it was inadvisable to take further military action at the northern end of Lake Rudolf until the Sudan Government were able to administer the territory lying north of th Sudan-East Africa boundary, in the proximity of the lake, since no large reinforcements could be supplied at the time to enable the northern line to be held.

The combined force proceeded to lodwar on June 18th, and on 19th the Sudan force under Major White marched off north, the operations being concluded.

The result of the operations may be described as successful in that it was demonstrated to the Northern Turkana that their forces, even when supported by Abyssinian marauders, were liable to defeat at the hands of British troops whenever encountered, this causing large numbers of Nyisirr and Ngamatak Turkana to approach the Political Officer with offers of peace. It was further shown that the Government was able to regain large numbers of cattle from them to compensate tribes whom they had raided, and, in consequence, that raiding was always liable to meet with punishment.'

Sold with copy medal roll showing entitlement to the Africa General Service Medal serving with No.6 Coy Equatorial Battalion. Ahmed is also described by Captain Yardley as 'his excellent Sergeant' in Parergon or Eddies in Equatoria; further entitled to the Africa General Service 1902-56 with clasp 'East Africa 1918'.

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Sold for
£2,900

Starting price
£2600