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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 198

(x) The superb Great War 'North Nigeria' K.P.M. group of four awarded to Assistant Commissioner J. Radcliff, Northern Provinces of Nigeria Police, later Lieutenant, Nigeria Regiment, who was honoured for his services keeping order during the Occupation of Duala in the aftermath of the Cameroons Campaign

King's Police Medal, G.V.R. (John Radcliff, Asst.Commp. N. Prov. Police, Nigeria.); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. Radcliffe. 1-Nig.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. Radcliffe.), cleaned, very fine (4)

K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919, the original recommendation states:

'Special and exceptional services including the work or organising and commanding a Police Force on the occupation Duala by the Allied Forces and the successful detection of serious crime and irregular practices on the Nigeria Railway.'

John Radcliffe was born on the Isle of Wight in 1879, the 1901 census places him at Toxteth, Lancashire. He immigrated to the Northern Nigeria Protectorate at some stage after its formation in 1902 and was appointed Assistant Commissioner (Lieutenant) with the Northern Nigeria Police on 16 June 1906.

The Northern Nigeria Police Blue Book for 1908 states that he transferred to the Political Department as an Assistant Resident on 1 April 1908. It should be noted that he does appear to have been serving with the Police again on the outbreak of the Great War so it may be surmised that the transfer was temporary.

Commissioned Lieutenant with the 1st Nigeria Regiment on 20 September 1914 (as per Special List i.e. of Local rank). Despite serving with a line Regiment he appears to have served in a Police role during this time, commanding Police Forces at Duala after its capture in 1914; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800