Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War casualty pair awarded to Lieutenant G. H. Shields, Gold Coast Regiment, killed in action during an ambush in German East Africa, 3 February 1917

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. H. Shields) extremely fine (2) £300-400

George Hilliard Shields was a native of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and son of Sergeant-Instructor Stewart Shields of 22 Quay Walls, Berwick. He was employed as Headmaster of the Government Boys’ School, Accra, West Africa from 1913. Shields was commissioned Lieutenant in the Gold Coast Regiment, in March 1916, and served with the Regiment in German East Africa.

Shields was killed in action 3 February 1917:

‘On 3rd February a patrol under Shields, with Colour Sergeant Nelson, 50 rank and file and a machine gun, was sent on a road leading to Utete, 11 miles north of Kiyombo, with orders to meet a patrol of the King’s African Rifles coming from Kiwambi. When he had proceeded only about one and a half miles his point reported it had seen a group of about 10 Germans. Shortly after a white man dressed in the King’s African Rifles uniform made his appearance, saying: ‘Don’t fire; we’re King’s African Rifles.’

Shields who was very short-sighted, thought he had made a mistake as to the identity of the group he had glimpsed. He thereupon bade his men not to fire; a large body of enemy, estimated to be some 200 strong, at once poured in a heavy volley and charged Shield’s patrol. As a result of this unlucky episode Shields, Nelson and nine other ranks were killed and several carriers were wounded, but the remainder managed to save the machine gun, whose corporal had been shot, and make good their retreat.

George Hilliard Shields was headmaster of the Boys School Accra, in the Government Education Department. He had volunteered for service with the Gold Coast Regiment and had already distinguished himself by gallant behaviour on the ridge beyond Gold Coast Hill on 15th December.’

Lieutenant Shields is buried in the Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania and is commemorated at the school of his employment.

Sold with copied research, and a photographic image of recipient in uniform.