Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare 1914 ‘Battle of Tanga, East Africa’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant C. Arnull, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, late Northamptonshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10073 Pte. C. Arnull. 2/L.N. Lanc: Regt.); Queen’s South Africa, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5907 Pte. C. Arnull. 2nd Northampton Regt.); 1914-15 Star (10073 Cpl. C. Arnull. L.N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10073 T.-Sjt. C. Arnnull [sic]. L.N. Lan. R.) the QSA polished and with edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine; the Great War medals nearly extremely fine (5) £2,000-£2,600

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 1999.

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915:
‘For gallant conduct on 4th November 1914, during the attack at Tanga (East Africa), and for general good work performed under heavy fire.’

The 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was the only British infantry battalion to serve in East Africa during the Great War. On 2 November 1914 H.M.S. Fox went into Tanga early in the morning to break the truce which had been previously in existence, and demand surrender, which latter was refused. As a result of this, later that evening and early the next morning a landing was effected, with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 61st Pioneers and 13th Rajput’s all making there way to the shore. They were met with only a desultory sniper fire, and no casualties occurred. At about 4:00 a.m. on 3 November four company’s of the 13th Rajputs were sent towards Tanga to occupy the town and clear up the situation. In the event they did not make it as far as the town, as they met a fierce resistance and suffered heavy casualties whilst retreating.

On the following day, 4 November 1914, the order was given for an all out attack on Tanga. The Loyal North Lancs along with their Indian counterparts advanced towards the town over difficult terrain, encountering little resistance. It was not until they reached some huts near the railway on the outskirts of town that suddenly a strong opposition was encountered. Here they were met with a hail of rifle and machine-gun fire and as a result suffered many casualties. After a confused close quarters pitched battle, they were forced to accept the inevitable, and the order was given to withdraw. The enemy made no attempt to follow up their success, allowing them to retreat to the trenches near the sea, where they were picked up by H.M.S. Fox, thus ended the attack on Tanga The next morning the wounded were embarked under a flag of truce, and that evening the transports left Tanga Bay.

Charles Arnull was born in Northamptonshire and attested there for the Northamptonshire Regiment. He died in East Africa on 7 February 1917 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and is buried at Morogoro Cemetery, Tanzania.