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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 254

A scarce Northern Nigeria 1903-04 West African Frontier Force D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant B. Duchi, Northern Nigerian Regiment, who was decorated, wounded and further deserving of special consideration for his part in the Okpoto operations

West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (1331 L.Cpl Babi Duchi. 2nd N.N. Regt W.A.F.F.), light toning, otherwise good very fine

Just 55 Edward VII W.A.F.F. D.C.M.'s issued, of which 5 were awarded for these operations.

W.A.F.F. D.C.M. London Gazette 25 August 1905:

'For gallant conduct during the operations in N. Nigeria 1903-04.'

W.A.F.F. D.C.M. Northern Nigeria Gazette31 October 1905.

Baba Duchi appears in the London Gazette of 25 August 1905 (p.5836) as deserving of special consideration for the Okpoto operations, and in the same gazette (p.5837) he appears as being severely wounded as part of the casualty list for the same expedition.

The spent his whole service career with the 2nd Battalion, Northern Nigeria Regiment and is further entitled to an Africa General Service Medal 1902-56 & 4 clasps, 'N. Nigeria' (Private), 'N. Nigeria 1902' (Corporal), 'N. Nigeria 1903-04' (Lance-Corporal) and 'N. Nigeria 1906' (Sergeant), after which he was discharged. His name is always written as Baba Dushi in all medal roll entries for the Africa General Service.

Okpoto, December 1903-March 1904

The operations were necessitated by the urgency for punishing natives of Okpoto District in the Bassa Province of Northern Nigeria for the murder of a party with Captain O'Riordan (Resident) and Mr Amyyatt-Burney (Police) on 16-17 December 1903.

Captain (local Major) G. C. Merrick, Royal Artillery, was in command with a force of 11 Europeans, 262 rank and file (I) - 2.95in. gun and two maxims. He had 307 carriers.

The country conssted of heavy forest and thick bush. On 24-25 December a body of 100 infantry and the 2.95 in. gun were concentrated across the Niger at Dekina some 18 miles distant. By the 5 January 1904 the whole force had reached Ogwatcha, where Merrick organised a column (less two sections to guard ammunition and 300 carriers) with seven days' supplies.

This column left Ogwatcha on 5th and met opposition on 6th two hours' march away. Carefully covered by scouts unoccupied stockades were located and the enemy then started sniping from the bush.

Between 7th and 12th Merrick scoured an area of 20 by 15 miles. Altogether 10 villages were rushed and destroyed, two of O'Riordan's escort were rescued and anumber of carbines recaptured. Our casualties so far were 11 killed and wounded. Merrick then returned to his base at Ogwatcha. Between 18th and 21 January he surprised and destroyed several towns in a sweep south, east and west from Giatu. He then marched north-west to Dekina without opposition; thence he moved south to Idah on the Niger, where he arrived 27th January.

Until 13th February he traversed the whole centre of the disaffected area locating some hostile parties after sharp fighting during which he had one killed and four wounded. On 15th some of Burney's clothing was found in a village which was then destroyed; operations were continued until the 12th March without much success, when Merrick left a garrison in the middle of the disaffected area and returned to Lokoja.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£600