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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 32

The East and West Africa Medal awarded to Private G. Sparrowhawk, Royal Marines, who was wounded in the action at Pumwani on 7 August 1893

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu August 1893 (G. Sparrowhawk, Pte. R.M. H.M.S. Swallow.), good very fine

239 Medals with this clasp issued to the Royal Navy.

George Sparrowhawk was born on 31 March 1874 in Stratford and was a coffee seller upon his joining the Royal Marines on 31 August 1891. After serving aboard Northampton from October 1892-February 1893, he joined Swallow in April 1893.

Sparrowhawk was landed with the Naval Brigade under Captain Lindley from Swallow to serve on the expedition against the Sultan Fumo Omari of Witu. He was one of three Marines wounded in the action, having taken a wound through the thigh in the action at Pumwani. He was treated for his wounds at the French Hospital on Zanzibar and was discharged on 11 April 1894.

Re-enlisting in the Army on 6 August 1914 but was sent to civilian employment until 1916, as he worked in a steel works in Motherwell. In April 1917 he served again, giving his trade as Blacksmith (British War and Victory Medal Pair) and was discharged in January 1919.

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Sold for
£750

Starting price
£280