A scarce ‘Somaliland 1920’ M.I.D. and 1918 ‘Egypt’ M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant E. Evans, Royal Air Force, late Imperial Camel Corps and Welsh Regiment

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1920, with M.I.D. oak leaves (334212 Sjt. E. Evans. R.A.F.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (51136 Sjt. E. Evans. H.Q. Centre. C.C.) mounted for display, very fine (2) £1,000-£1,400

Charles Lovell Collection (A.G.S. only, M.S.M. reunited in 1994).

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918 (Egypt).

M.I.D. London Gazette 12 July 1920 (Somaliland). The original recommendation (for promotion to Flight Sergeant) states:

‘This Sergeant has done most excellent work both in general duties and looking after stores. His knowledge of the country and language has proved invaluable, he has frequently been in sole charge of men trekking up country, always bringing them through safely. He is a hard working and very reliable N.C.O.’

Evan Evans was born in Glamorgan, Wales in February 1887. He initially served with the Welsh Regiment (No. 9093), before transferring to the Corps of Hussars and subsequently the Camel Corps. Evans served during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of war from 5 August 1914 (entitled to trio), and was awarded the M.S.M. for service attached to No. 5 Company, H.Q. Centre Camel Corps. Evans transferred as Sergeant to the Royal Air Force in August 1919.

Evans was part of a detachment of officers, N.C.O’s and men detailed for duty with ‘Z’ Unit. The latter (also known as ‘Z’ Force) was to be an independent R.A.F. unit initially operating out of Berbera, under the command of Group Captain R. Gordon. It comprised of 36 officers, and 189 other ranks, inclusive of a hospital medical staff of 4 officers and 25 other ranks. ‘Z’ Unit was equipped with eleven DH9A’s and one DH9 fitted up as an air ambulance. Gordon’s force was to combat the ‘Mad Mullah’ and his Dervishes in Somaliland. It is possible that Evans would have been recommended for the R.A.F. M.S.M. for Somaliland, but for the fact that he already had the Army M.S.M. His card in MOD SL0J is annotated, “has MSM as 51136 Sgt. E. Evans - Imperial Camel Corps.”

Sergeant Evans was discharged in April 1920.