Ashantee Medal 42nd Foot. “ The Black Watch”

Ashantee Medal 1873. Bar: Coomassie. 1418. Pte. A. Sanderson. 1/42 Foot. (1st Bn Black Watch) medal is in very good condition, on ribbon. Verified on roll, confirming entitlement.( Surname on Roll as Alexander Sandison, clerks error.)

1/42 Foot, The Black Watch. 
The Regiment arrived in Ashantee on 17th December 1873, and advanced on Coomassie on 5th January 1884, and was completed on 4th February 1884.

During this short period the Black Watch won FOUR VICTORIA CROSSES.

The Regiment played a leading role and was involved in fierce fighting, during a harsh advance in jungle conditions. They played a major role in the Battle Of Amoaful, where five companies of the Regiment were led into battle by the Pipers. All the Officers suffered wounds and 104 Other Ranks were wounded.

This campaign led to the occupation and razing of Coomassie the capital city of Ashantee, concluding the conflict and resulting in the Treaty of Fommanah.

The Capital Coomassie was later destroyed by the British Forces in 1874. The Regiment landed back at Portsmouth on 23rd March 1874 and were met with great enthusiasm. Awards and Honours  were showered in profusion on the returning Troops, with all bravery awards presented by Queen Victoria in person. 

"The Black Watch was granted the Battle Honour "Ashantee 1873-74", for distinguished service, and awarded the Coomassie Clasp on their Medals. 

Ashantee1873-74 ( Gold Coast) 

This Campaign was against King Coffee Kalkali who resented a transfer of the port of Elmina from Dutch control to British. Sir Garnet Wolseley was sent out to lead the campaign.

The conditions in which the Army and Navy fought produced the worst sickness rate on record and no fewer than 98% of the Naval Brigade went down with sickness. After fierce fighting peace was signed on 13th February 1874, but King Coffee was reluctant to pay the indemnity demanded, until further Naval forces arrived. And with the ""Treaty of Fommanah" the king had to pay with Gold and stop the practice of Human sacrifice.

The Coomassie Clasp.

Those who were present at the Battle of Amoaful and the subsequent capture of Coomassie, or who supported operations North of the River Prah, recieved a special Clasp for their Medal Engraved, Coomassie.