A scarce Great War ‘German East Africa’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant-Major A. E. J. D. Trevelyan, Southern Rhodesia Column, British South Africa Police, late Gloucestershire Regiment and 12th Lancers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1875 Cpl. A. E. J. D. Trevelyan. Sth’n: Rhodesia Col:); 1914-15 Star (Tpr. A. J. D’E. Trevelyan B.S.A. Police.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (1375 S.Mjr. A. E. J. D-E. Trevelyan. B.S.A.P.) note variations in initials, good very fine, scarce to unit (4) £1,800-£2,200

One of only 20 D.C.M.s awarded to Rhodesian troops for the Great War, and one of only 8 recorded to the British South Africa Police.

D.C.M. London Gazette 26 April 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rallied a party which had gone through the enemy’s lines and completed the capture of the enemy position.’
Original citation additionally annotated ‘Mkapira 30.10.16.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 September 1917.

Arthur Ernest James D’eucourt Trevelyan was born in Castletown, Isle of Man in 1888. His family appears to have moved around, as Arthur subsequently had siblings born in Portsmouth in 1890, India in 1892, Devon in 1897, Jersey in 1899, and Dublin in 1903. He attested for the Gloucestershire Regiment at Bristol on 9 June 1902, and served in South Africa and India before transferring to the 12th Lancers on 31 August 1910. He again served in South Africa between October 1910 and December 1912, and was discharged on 8 June 1914. Emigrating to Rhodesia, he joined the British South Africa Police, and served during the Great War in the African theatre of War from 21 September 1914 to 1 November 1914, and then again from 20 February 1916 to 17 April 1918. Advanced Corporal, Trevelyan was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Mkapira on 30 October 1916:

‘The Rhodesian assault party was to be Europeans only, Section 1 of A company and seven men of B company with Sergeant-Major McGee and Scouts Hill, Judson and Besuidenhouts, who had carried out the reconnaissances. The officer in charge of the attacking party, forty-three N.C.O.s and men was Lieutenant Onyett. No 2 Section of A company B.S.A.P. under Lieutenant Vaughan was in support. The position to be attacked was about one thousand yards from the Rhodesian trenches. In the No Mans Land was a strong enemy picket of about twenty-five men behind a slight ridge. The plan was that the Rhodesians, advancing in extended order, with bayonets fixed, were to double forward at a steady pace to overcome the pickets and occupy their rifle pits. As soon as the line had been consolidated No 2 section would come up as reinforcements, then in short rushes, squads were to dash forward to attack the German trenches.

The men picked for the assault knew that this was to be, at last, a real war, for in a bayonet charge they knew you kill, or are killed. This was the final exercise of their training. For this end the instructors had urged the fierce yells to raise a hatred for the enemy. Last letters were written, last instructions given. There was little sleep and everyone was awake well before the time of roll call. Fall in at half past four and a repetition of instructions. Then the assault party formed up in trenches in extended order, three paces apart. While it was still dark, shortly before dawn, the guns opened fire on the German trenches to the west while Hawthorn’s K.A.R. started their attack on the north.

The Rhodesians waited impatiently for the order to move. At last it came and starting out of their trenches with whispered “Go well, bwanae and come back with blood on your bayonets” from the askaris, walked towards the picket line. Orders had been given that no one was to stop to fire until the main trench was reached. Up to that time the menace of the line of advancing bayonets would strike terror into the German Askaris. As they got nearer the enemy, they gave a cheer and breaking into a trot dashed forward and found to their surprise the picket had been withdrawn leaving only a small patrol which was easily overwhelmed. Now they raced forward taking the enemy by surprise. There were shots from the sentries when the Rhodesians broke into the trenches. The Germans tried to get rifles and machine guns into action, but the sudden determined rush of the Rhodesians carried them so close that the guns could not be depressed sufficiently to fire on them. The charge was pressed home by the Rhodesians with their bayonets and when a third of the trench had been occupied they swung round and attacked from the flank, intending to roll up the defence in the remaining parts of the trench.

Corporal Trevelyan, rallying his men on the left, led them deeper into the trenches. The enemy put up a stiff resistance but the fiercely yelling Rhodesians with their blood stained bayonets made them begin to turn. When Onyett realised his force had got into the main body he dashed back to direct Vaughan to bring up his supports to cut off the fleeing Germans. From the trench it had captured, the assault force was able to enfilade the trench on its right, killing the gunners and allowing the second wave of troops to advance. The Germans counter attacked twice but were beaten off each time until their retreat became a rout.’ (The Soldier’s Burden - Southern German East Africa refers).

For their gallantry in this action Lieutenant Onyett was awarded the Military Cross and McGee, Beith, Trevelyan and Wisener were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Trevelyan left Durban in May 1920 and returned to England, arriving at Southampton on 7 June 1920. He subsequently emigrated to Australia, and died at Box Hill, Victoria in 1976.

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