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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 236

A rare West Africa 1898 D.S.O. pair awarded to Lieutenant W. St A. Wake, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), attached Royal Niger Constabulary, who was wounded, 'mentioned' and decorated for his part in the Illah campaign, most notably when wounded at the head of his men in the epic attack on Iselpatima in November 1898, when his gallant Hausa's accounted for scores of enemy troops

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with top riband bar; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1898 (Lieut. W. St. A. Wake. Middx: Rgt:), good very fine (2)

11 D.S.O.'s for West Africa awarded in 1899.

D.S.O. London Gazette 30 June 1899:

'...in recognition of the services of the undermentioned Officers with the Royal Niger Constabulary during the recent operations in the Benin Hinterland & Siana etc..'

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 May 1899. One of just 11 'mentions' conferred for operations in the Benin Hinterland and Siana Expedition of 1898.

William St Aubyn Wake was born on 26 October 1871 at Fotheringay, Oundle, Northamptonshire. Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the Middlesex Regiment 18 June 1892, he was advanced Lieutenant on 17 August 1894 and placed on Special Extra Regimental Employment in West Africa from 27 August 1898. Serving under the Royal Niger Company, he shared in the operations in the Niger Territories, including Benin Hinterland and Siama Expeditions. During the campaign he was wounded, 'mentioned' and took his D.S.O., with further details of his exploits reported in The London Illustrated News on 31 December 1898:

'Short and scrappy as have been the tidings of recent fighting in Nigeria, they have clearly indicated the bold stand made against the rebellious tribes in the Hinterland of Benin by the bearers of the Royal Niger Company's standard. In the middle of November, as we have only lately learned, Lieutenant William St. Aubyn Wake, of the 2nd Middlesex Rifles, boldly attacked and took the town of Iselpatima.

The losses of the Company’s Hausa troops were seven killed: and Lieutenant Wake himself, as well as Lieutenant Williams, of the South Wales Borderers, were among the slightly wounded. The native losses were 150 killed.'

Wake tragically died of blackwater fever at Lagos on 4 February 1900, aged just 29. As a result the Insignia of the D.S.O. was returned via the Foreign Office, and sent to his mother who lived at 43 Brompton Square, London. His Medal & clasp, issued off a Special Roll and named to his parent Regiment - thus likely a unique Medal named to The Middlesex Regiment - was issued for his services in the Illah area on 25 April 1902 (WO100/83, refers).

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Estimate
£4,000 to £6,000

Starting price
£3500