East & Central Africa Medal

[Tony Farrell]

Instituted in 1899 for operations in Uganda, the Ogaden desert and southern Sudan, it was mainly awarded to colonial troops, although British officers & NCOs on secondment received it. These are rare. Issued in both silver & bronze, four clasps were issued: LUBWA'S, UGANDA 1897-8, 1898 and UGANDA 1899.

It is sometimes stated that this medal was never issued without a bar, although some specimens have been recorded. The Lubwa's clasp, however, was always issued with the clasp for Uganda 1897-8. The Lubwa's clasp was awarded for a punitive expedition against 600 Sudanese mutineers who had occupied the fort at Luba's, and a siege ensued that lasted over 2 months.

The mutineers eventually broke out but were pursued and defeated at Kabarega stockade by a force commanded by Captain E G Harrison. The clasp Uganda 1897-98 was awarded for an expedition in to the Teita country led by Lt.Col. W A Broome.

[Ed_Haynes]

A really nice medal. I have shown one in a group already, to "1175 Havildar Nawaz, 127th Princess of Wales's Own Baluch Light Infantry", at http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2400&st=9 -- here's another, to "309 Rifleman Indar Singh, 1st Uganda Rifles". (RIBBON BACKWARDS - oops. )

Edited January 10, 2006 by Ed_Haynes