Silver medal, commemorating the Ashanti campaign with bar awarded for 'Coomassie' (Kumasi), English, late 19th century.

Silver medal, obv., profile head of Queen Victoria; rev., English and Ashanti contending in a wood. Swivel and ribbon, and bar for "Coomassie." Signed "L. C. Wyon."

Given by the late Jas. W. Fleming

Given by the late Jas.W.Fleming, F.R.C.S.E., Surgeon- Major 4th R.I.D Guards.

In 1872 the main port of the West African Kingdom of Elmina transferred from Dutch to British control. This ended annual payments made by Holland to King Kofi Karikara for use of the port. As a result of this the King of Ashanti (Ghana) sent his troops across the border in 1873 to attack the friendly tribes of the British Protectorate of the Gold Coast where very few British troops were stationed. Urgent reinforcements were sent, amongst these were the 42nd Highlanders (The Black Watch) who arrived in the Gold Coast shortly before Christmas. In the New year they marched on Coomassie (Kumasi) the capital of Ashanti 150 miles inland to press King Karikara to sign a new treaty. During their advance many difficult actions were fought. Four Victoria Crosses were awarded during the Ashanti Campaign.

This is a silver medal made in the 19th century, in England, and signed "L. C. Wyon." The obverse of this medal represents the profile head of Queen Victoria and the reverse shows English and Ashanti contending in a wood. This medal has a swivel with ribbon, and bar for "Coomassie."

1469-1877