British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 3 clasps, Gambia 1894, Benin River 1894, Brass River 1895 (J. Howe, Pte. R.M., H.M.S. Widgeon) minor contact marks, otherwise good very fine £800-1000

40 ‘Gambia 1894’, 42 ‘Benin River 1894’ and 71 ‘Brass River 1895’ clasps were awarded to Widgeon. 22 medals were issued with this combination of clasps.

John Howe was born in Camberwell, London on 15 August 1867. A Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Marines on 15 December 1885. He served on the ships Inconstant, 1897; Himalaya, 1888-91; Vivid, 1891-93; Widgeon, 1893-96; Phæton, 1897-1900, and Defiance, 1900-06. Whilst serving on the Widgeon he saw action on the west coast of Africa, for which he was awarded the East & West Africa Medal with three clasps. His service papers record:

‘11 March 94. Hurt Cert[ificate]. Bullet wound neck (?) Gambia Expedn. Medina Creek 1894’.

‘8 May 95. Served Widgeon during Benin River Brohemie 94 & Brass River 1895 Expeditions’.

‘23 Feb 96. Landed with Naval Brigade in Expedition against Rebel Chief M’Baruk, East Africa’.

He received five good conduct badges and on 31 January 1901 received the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. Medal. He was discharged to a pension in February 1907 and in August the same year enrolled into the Royal Fleet Reserve. He was discharged in August 1908 ‘having entered the Royal Navy as Officers Steward’. Sold with copied service papers and other research.