An unusual East and West Africa and Ashanti Star pair awarded to Private J. Harrison, 2nd Battalion, West India Regiment who first took part in the expedition under Major General Sir Francis C. Scott, K.C.B., K.C.M.G. against the Ashantis under King Prempeh otherwise known as Kwaka Dua III and then later in the expeditions to the hinterland of Lagos and the northern territories of the Gold Coast between September 1897 and 14th June 1898. He was one of 559 men of the 2nd Battalion, West India Regiment who claimed the East and West Africa Medal with the clasp 1897-98.
Pair: East and West Africa Medal 1887-1900, 1 Clasp 1897-98; (961 PTE. T. HARRISON. 2ND W. INDIA REGT.) Ashanti Star 1896, unnamed as issued. Mounted loose for wear.
Condition: mounted loose for wear, Good Very Fine
Awarded to Private (No. 961) T. Harrison, 2nd Battalion, West India Regiment who appears as ‘J. Harrison’ on the medal roll. Harrison took part in the expedition under Major General Sir Francis C. Scott, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., against the Ashantis under King Prempeh otherwise known as Kwaka Dua III. This expedition was formed to enforce the demand that the Ashanti Kingdom become a British Protectorate. The non-payment of money due under the 1874 treaty and claims of human sacrifice provided the grounds for action. The Ashantis made no effort to resist the expedition and the British entered the capital Kumassi on 17th January 1896. On the 20th, Prempeh submitted to Scott and Governor Sir William Maxwell, C.M.G., following which he and his main supporters were arrested, deported and a Protectorate established.
He also saw service in the expeditions in the hinterland of Lagos and the northern territories of the Gold Coast between September 1897 and 14th June 1898. Some 559 men of the 2nd Battalion, West India Regiment, claimed the medal with this clasp.
