ASHANTEE MEDAL

THE FINE AND RARE ASHANTEE 1873 TO A ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY CAPTAIN, ONE OF THE FEW OFFICERS TO TAKE PART IN THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN. DURING THE SECOND PHASE ATTACHED TO THE BLACK WATCH AND AS ORDERLY OFFICER TO THE BRIGADE COMMANDER WHERE HE WAS PRESENT AT THE BATTLES OF AMOAFUL, ORDAHSU AND THE CAPTURE OF COOMASSIE BEING AWARDED THE BREVET OF MAJOR FOR HIS SERVICE

ASHANTEE MEDAL 1873, CLASP, COOMASSIE ‘CAPT W.E. DESPARD, R.M.L.I, H.M.S. BARRACOUTA 1873-4’

An important medal for the Ashantee War, not just due to unit and rank but because Captain Despard was one of the first men to land on the Gold Coast during the initial disturbances and one of the last to leave. 100 Marines under Colonel Festing and including Captain Despard embarked on HMS Barracuta and were dispatched from the UK, landing at Cape Coast Castle on 7th June 1873. They were joined by the 1st WIR and were to reinforce the 2nd WIR, already on station. They were under express order to defend the forts but not to engage in field operations. However, as often happens events spiraled and the Marines were drawn into the conflict and the British Government realized a full campaign would be needed to solve the Ashantee problem. Thus General Garnet Wolseley led an expeditionary Force which reinforced the Marines and WIR’s, landing on the Gold Coast in October 1873. Captain Despard had various roles during the campaign, serving with the 42nd Highlanders and as Orderly officer to General Archibald Alison, who commanded the European Brigade during the conflict. An important position, especially as Alison was given tactical Command during the advance on Coomassie, second only to Wolseley himself. One note states;

‘Archibald Alison, Brigadier of the white troops, declares he never came under a fiercer fire in India or the Crimea. Sir Archibald did not spare himself nor his staff officer, Captain Despard, R.M., who was always going backwards and forwards on the road.’ Another states by 25th January ‘Colonel Festing, Captain Despard, and Lieutenant Allen are the three surviving officers of that marine force which landed in June last……………..

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A photograph of Major Despard is held in the Royal Collection and Sir Archibald Alison’s papers, including those for the Ashantee War are held in the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. These are sure to hold more details on Despard’s movements during the campaign.

https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/page/1#who

Only 3 Coomassie clasps to H.M.S. Barracouta.

Condition GVF, with copy record of service and other research, ex DNW 2006.