Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War German East Africa operations M.M. awarded to Private Kamana, 1/2 King’s African Rifles - wounded in action in October 1917, he died of further wounds received in June 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2610 Pte. Kamana, 1/2 K.A.R.), polished, thus good fine £400-500

M.M. East African Force G.R.O. No. 485, dated 14 May 1917, and London Gazette 28 July 1917:

‘For gallantry in action on 25 April 1917.’

An award for the action at Lutende, details of which appear in the regimental history:

‘As soon as he heard of the new enemy arrivals, O’Grady decided to attack. On 22 April Lieutenant-Colonel Giffard marched out to Namembo with 1/2 K.A.R., 50 rifles of the 5th Light Infantry, some machine-gun sections, mortars amd mountain guns. Yangwani was approached under cover of darkness, and at 10 a.m. on 23 April, the enemy was surprised and forced to make a hasty retreat. Giffard then sent out patrols to locate the camp at Lutende, but 24 hours elapsed before it could be found. By that time the enemy had been warned, and a second night march on 24-25 April failed to take him by surprise. Though Giffard’s attack at first drove the Germans back, it was met by a heavy concentration of fire and a counter-attack by forces estimated at 400 rifles with six machine-guns. Fighting continued throughout the day, but casualties, especially among its officers, were serious, and at dusk the action was broken off. 1/2 K.A.R. had recently absorbed 180 young recruits, and ‘A’ Company had gone into the action without any officer at all. Through pouring rain the Battalion marched wearily back through the darkness, having lost three officers out of eight (one died of wounds, one wounded and one missing), eight African ranks killed, 45 wounded, and six missing.’

Kamana, a native of the Anguru Tribe from the district of Zomba, enlisted in the King’s African Rifles in March 1916. Advanced to Lance-Corporal in June of the following year, he was wounded in the left thigh and hand in an action fought at Mahiwa on 17 October 1917, and was admitted to hospital at Mombasa. Sadly, however, having rejoined his unit, he died of further wounds received on 11 June 1918; it would appear from official records that his campaign awards were never issued.