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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 282

The 'Mbuyuni Border Patrol 1914' King's African Rifles D.C.M. awarded to Effendi A. Ahmed, 4th (Uganda) Battalion, King's African Rifles, who was commissioned for his services

King's African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3715 Sjt: Aboukir Ahmed. 4/K.A.R.), minor contact wear and polishing as well as slight edge bruising, nearly very fine

D.C.M., Company Orders 534/19, the original citation states:

'For commanding a patrol near Mbuyuni (British East Africa) on 20th December 1914, and successfully driving off the Germans, after Lieutenant Musson had been wounded.'

[M.S.M.] London Gazette 14 January 1918 - for Gallantry during the march on Tunduru.

Aboukir Ahmed appears upon the medal roll with the rank of Mulazim Awal, analogous to Lieutenant. His award for bravery was made at Mbuyuni, a border post between British East Africa and German East Africa in the first months of the war. An article posted by the Western Front Association refers to the incident which saw him awarded the M.S.M., noting:

'After brief skirmishes on the route the Rovuma River was reached on 29 July; this was the border between PEA and GEA. Shorthose marched his men upstream for 12 kilometres before a suitable crossing place was found, then a few bold Askari swam across with ropes whilst rafts were constructed from tents filled with grass. By noon the next day the column was across the river with only one mule lost in the water. In recognition of this fine piece of work the Column Transport Officer, Lieutenant J A Kelly, (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers), received a Military Cross. Two Askari of No 3 Company, Lieutenant 3715 Aboukir Effendi Ahmed and 5802 Private Cjerogwe Atwol received the Meritorious Service Medal; perhaps they had been active as swimmers during the crossing.'

He appears in the Company Orders once more at the presentation of colours to 4 KAR by the Governor with the rank of Yuzbashi Effendi, Ahmed was further awarded a 1914-15 Star Trio.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480