Orders, Decorations and Medals

An extremely rare Southern Nigeria D.C.M. group of four awarded to Colour-Sergeant A. H. Anderson, The King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, attached Southern Nigeria Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Clr.-Serjt., S. Nigeria Regt.); Ashanti 1900, 1 clasp, Kumassi (Serjt., Rl. Lanc. Regt.) high relief bust; Africa General Service 1902-56, 4 clasps, S. Nigeria, Aro 1901-1902, S. Nigeria 1902-03, S. Nigeria 1904 (Clr.-Serjt., S. Nigeria Regt.) high relief bust, the last two clasps both contemporary tailor’s copies; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3596 C. Sjt., Rl. Lanc. Regt.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (4) £3000-4000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late John Cooper.

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See Colour Plate V

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 October 1904: ‘in recognition of services in Southern Nigeria 1902.’

Colour-Sergeant Anderson is mentioned in the despatch of the expedition under Captain I. G. Hogg, 4th Hussars, in the Ibekwe Country in October 1902, ‘was in charge of the transport - a service which he performed admirably.’ He is again mentioned in the despatch of the expedition under Captain W. J. Venour, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, in the Nisit Country in December 1902, ‘was in charge of transport where he proved himself to be a good organizer and was tactful and considerate with the carriers.’

Albert Henri Anderson was born at Sullon Park, Birmingham, and was an Engine Driver before enlisting into the Royal Lancaster Regiment on 5 May 1892. He served in Malta, Hong Kong and Singapore before extending his service to complete 12 years with the Colours in August 1900, at which time he was a Sergeant. In September 1900 he was selected for employment under the Colonial Office with the Ashanti Field Force (Medal with Clasp). He served in West Africa from 5 October 1900 to 5 April 1902, from 20 October 1902 to 25 October 1903, and from 19 March 1905 to 24 March 1905, a total service in West Africa of 3 years 195 days, allowed to reckon as double service for pension. He returned to the U.K. in April 1905 where he re-engaged to complete 21 years service, being finally discharged at Lancaster on 4 January 1910. Sold with copy enlistment and discharge papers, and relevant despatches.