The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards

A Great War ‘East African operations’ M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant D. B. Fox, Nigeria Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.) good very fine (3)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards.

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M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1918 (No citation).

Citation reads: ‘Showed the greatest pluck and devotion to duty when in command of the vanguard on the 7th June 1917. He showed the greatest skill in handling his men, and in the fight that followed on this day did some most useful work with a machine gun. Again, at Mahiwa on the 15th October 1917, when his Company were making a reconnaissance, he handled his half-company with the greatest skill during the retirement, and displayed the greatest coolness and courage, setting a very fine example to his men. Later in the retirement, after he himself was wounded, he worked a Lewis gun under the most heavy fire with the greatest skill and so enabled a portion of his Company, that were almost surrounded, to retire.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 March 1918.

David Bernard Fox was commissioned a Temporary Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Nigerian Overseas Expedition Brigade on 1 October 1916. He served with the brigade in East Africa, 10 December 1916-17 November 1917. Fox was severely wounded on 15 October 1917 (gunshot wound to the shoulder), while in command of the rearguard of the 4th Nigerians. He was awarded the M.C. for gallantry at Mkalama, German East Africa, 7 June 1917, and at Mahiwa, German East Africa, 15 October 1917. In 1918 he returned to employment with the Nigerian Railway. With copied research, including extracts from With the Nigerians in German East Africa, by Captain W. D. Downes, M.C. - which provides the above citation and mentions Fox several times.