EAST and WEST AFRICA MEDAL 1887-1900

[Guest Darrell]

Received this one a while back. Another later Victorian Medal.

BACKGROUND ON MEDAL

East & West Africa Medal

Date Instituted:

Campaign: East and West Africa 1887-1900

Description: This medal is virtually identical to the Ashantee Medal with the obverse bears the head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA'. The reverse depicts the troops in combat with the native enemy against a jungle backdrop. The suspender is straight and attached to the medal by a claw mount sweated to it.

Metal: Silver

Size: 36mm

Clasps: '1887-8', 'WITU 1890', '1891-2', '1892', 'WITU AUGUST 1893', 'LIWONDI 1893', 'JUBA RIVER 1893', 'LAKE NYASSA 1893', '1893-94', 'GAMBIA 1894', 'BENIN RIVER 1894', 'BRASS RIVER 1895', '1896-98', 'NIGER 1897', 'BENIN 1897', 'DAWKITA 1897', '1897-98', '1898', 'SIERRA LEONE 1898-99', '1899' and '1900'

Ribbon: Yellow with black borders and two narrower inner black stripes

Naming: Naming varies with examples encountered with impressed tall serifed capitals while others (later awards) have narrow or square capitals and some to officers appear with engraved sloping capitals. Those awarded to native troops are usually in engraved running script.

Comments: Although this medal is identical to the Ashantee Medal it is somewhat thinner and also appears in bronze for native troops. Those who took part in the 'MWELE' operations in 1895 do not have a clasp to commemorate this but often have 'MWELE 1895' engraved on the rim of the medal as well as the 'BRASS RIVER 1895' or 'BENIN 1897' clasps. The clasps 'LIWONDI 1893', 'LAKE NYASSA 1893' and 'DAWKITA 1897' are considered rare.

Medal in Question:

William Barry Brownson Newsam Signalman HMS Forte

William Barry Brownson Newsam was born in St Peters, Nottingham 4 February 1878 a printer's office boy he entered the Royal Navy at Caledonia as a Boy 2nd Class.

After service at Pembroke and aboard HMS Blenheim he joined HMS Forte 5 November 1895 and was rated Signalman aboard this ship 4 February 1896 and Qualified Signalman 29 April 1897.

Leaving Forte 15 December 1898 he joined Pemboke I and HMS Albion 1 July 1901 being advanced to Leading Signalman aboard this ship 1 March 1904.

Advanced to 2nd Yeoman of Signals aboard HMS Pegasus 1 August 1906 he was invalided from Pembroke I with Rheumatic Arthritis 7 March 1907.

Newsam rejoined on 21 August 1914 at Widfire but became ill and was admitted to the RN Sick Quarters Sheerness where he died from heart failure 7 December 1914. He now rests in the Sheerness (Isle of Sheppey) Cemetery.

Edited December 24, 2010 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

BENIN 1897 Clasp:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Closeup of Reverse. Note (as described in the first post), the Reverse is identical to the SA ASHANTEE MEDAL.

[Guest Darrell]

Naming on the Rim. Officially Impressed with the standard letters issued to RN personnel awarded the BENIN 1897 Clasp:

a.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

[Guest Darrell]

c.

[Guest Darrell]

A series of articles downloaded off the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website listing Newsam as an internee and about the cemetary itself.

[Guest Darrell]

b.

[Guest Darrell]

c.

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d.

[Guest Darrell]

And finally the Muster showing NEWSAM's history on the different ships during his service:

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi Darrell,

What a magnificent medal and with the supporting documentation makes this one great find.

A nice addition to your collection and thanks for sharing it.

Regards

Brian

[Guest Darrell]

Thanks Brian.. I was amazed what could be found on the website of the CWGC.