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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 31

The East and West Africa Medal awarded to Private P. Coombes, Royal Marines, who was severely wounded and Recommended for a gallantry award in the action at Pumwani on 7 August 1893

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu August 1893 (P. Coombes, Pte. R.M., H.M.S. Blanche.), very fine

239 Medals with this clasp issued to the Royal Navy.

Patrick Coombes was born on 28 July 1856 at Poltimore, Exeter and was a labourer upon his joining the Royal Marines at Exeter on 28 September 1874. He saw active service in Egypt from 10 February-31 July 1884 (Medal, Khedive's Star) and was invalided home.

Coombes latterly was landed with the Naval Brigade under Captain Lindley from Blanche to serve on the expedition against the Sultan Fumo Omari of Witu. Coombes was one of three Marines wounded in the action, having his upper left arm fractured by a bullet in the action at Pumwani. He was also Recommended for a gallantry award for that action, which was put in on 2 September 1893. Treated for his wounds at the French Hospital on Zanzibar, Coombes was invalided from the service on 15 December 1893; sold together with copied research and extracts from Globe and Laurel.

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£280