EAST AND WEST AFRICA MEDAL

EAST AND WEST AFRICA MEDAL TO A CAPTAIN WEST INDIA REGIMENT WHO ADDITIONALLY SERVED IN THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGNS OF 1896 AND 1900, THE LATTER AS A SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICER

EAST AND WEST AFRICA 1887-1900, 2 CLASPS, 1897-98, SIERRA LEONE 1898-99 ‘CAPT. F. L. BLOSSE. 1/W.I.R.’

Francis Lynch Blosse was born in November 1868, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry in May 1889. He transferred as lieutenant to the West India Regiment in November 1893, and suffered with fever in 1895. Blosse advanced to captain, and served in the Ashanti Expedition of 1896, in West Africa in 1897-98, and was employed in the Hinterland Operations in Sierra Leone. From 1 August 1900, he served as a staff officer to the Governor of Sierra Leone and deputy assistant adjutant general from 7 December 1901.

It seems Blosse also served as a special service officer during the Ashanti war of 1900, for the following was reported in the Western Mail, 2 July 1900:

“THE ASHANTI TROUBLE
Among the passengers proceeding to the West Coast of Africa in the streamer Teneriffe, which left Liverpool on Saturday, was Captain F. L. Blosse, who will land at Sierra Leone. Captain Blosse, who belongs to the West India Regiment, and served with distinction in the Ashanto Expedition under Sir Francis Scott in 1895, will follow up the force now advancing for the relief of Kumasi.”

Captain Blosse died in Lymington, Hampshire in February 1915.

The ‘death occurred during Tuesday night, last week, of Captain Lynch Bloss [sic], of Moorcroft, Waterford, at the early age of 47 years. The deceased gentleman had not resided in the town, and died from pneumonia. Captain Bloss, in the early part of the war, went out to France and rendered useful service to his country in the Records Office.’ (Western Gazette, 26 February 1915 refers).

Despite his active service, it seems in addition to the East and West Africa Medal, Blosse only received the bronze 1896 Ashanti Star. Army lists do not indicate a medal for the 1900 Ashanti Campaign and although MIC gives entitlement to 1914 Star, it seems it was neither issued or claimed by family (copy with research).

Condition GVF. Unofficial retaining rod between clasps, and alteration to lugs to facilitate additional clasp or better. With silver ribbon bar. Sold with copied research. Ex Spink circular 1979 when sold as a single medal.