Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (Capt. Baker, Commr. of Armed Police, Cape Coast Castle, 73-74) very fine and a rare award to a Special Service Officer £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Series of Medals for the Ashantee Campaign (1873-74).

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Arthur Wybrow Baker was originally commissioned into the 66th regiment in July 1862, and was advanced to Lieutenant in August 1865. Sometime thereafter, having obtained a Captaincy, he resigned his commission and travelled to Africa, where, as the following letter to Downing Street from Major-General Wolseley reveals, he volunteered his services to the British cause in 1873:

‘I cannot over state the importance of having this post [Inspector-General of Police] filled at the present moment by an able organizer, and by a man full of energy and of great physical health and strength. No one but a military man would be fit for it, as the efficiency of this police force will depend largely upon the manner in which strict discipline is maintained in it. The management of bodies of armed men is an art that few possess intuitively, and is one that can only be acquired by military service.

I have therefore selected Captain A. W. Baker, late of the 66th Regiment, who having left the army, is one of the many similarly circumstanced who have recently come to the Coast at their own expense to join the force under my command.

He is no relation of mine and I never heard of him until quite recently, but I have selected him for what I consider to be his especial fitness for the post of Inspector-General of Police.

The force at present numbers 438 men, but its efficiency is by no means what it ought to be. It has been hurriedly collected and time has not admitted its organization and the selection of men enlisted being properly attended to: much remains to be done before it can really be a thoroughly efficient force.

Captain Baker assumed command of it today [16 December 1873] as explained to your Lordship in my despatch previously alluded to ...’

As evidenced by Wolesley’s subsequent despatch regarding the Coomassie operations, dated 7 February 1874, Baker quickly knocked his police force into shape:

‘The police duties in connection with the recent military operations have been most effectively performed by Captain Baker, Inspector-General of Police. He has rendered the force under my command most valuable service and his zeal and energy mark him out as peculiarly suited for the post he occupies ...’