Africa General Service Medal, with bar for Nyasaland 1915, awarded to Pvt. Msosa, 1916
Obverse, a bust of King George V |
Reverse, Britannia with lion gesturing right to sun on horizon |
|
Obverse, a bust of King George V |
Reverse, Britannia with lion gesturing right to sun on horizon |
Numerous actions in the British-controlled parts of Africa were felt to merit the award of a medal, but not a distinct one for every action. The Africa General Service Medal replaced the East and West Africa Medal which had previously been awarded for service in this theatre. Bars were awarded for a variety of small campaigns, sometimes only one expedition and sometimes rather more complex operations.
The campaign for which this medal was awarded was a native police operation that quelled a small rising in the Shire Highlands of Nyasaland (now part of Malawi).
It was awarded to Private Msosa of the Blantyre Native Police. Lester Watson purchased it in the auction of the Hamilton Smith Collection, of which it had formed part, in 1927 (Glendining, 20-21 July 1927, lot 965).