East & West Africa Benin 1897 Royal Navy

East And West Africa Bar: Benin 1897. A.B T.G.Hammond. HMS Phoebe.

Medal is in good condition on correct ribbon, mounted for display. 
 

Benin 1897

Awarded for action between 6th Febuary- 7th August 1897. Issued to all members of a punitive expedition in the Benin Territory under Rear Admiral Sir Harry Rawson and the land contingent under Lieutenant- Colonel Bruce Hamilton which captured Gwato and Sapobo. It came in response to the ambush and slaughter of a 250 strong party led by the British Acting Consul General James Phillips. 
The British  force of 1,200 marines and sailors were split into three attack columns, while warships including HMS Philomel and Phoebe approached Benin city from the East and West. After 10 days of heavy fighting they found the scene of the massacre, finding headless bodies of the victims. Many human sacrifices were found as they approached Benin. After taking the city the king's compound was ransacked and burnt, all this was achieved in three weeks of fighting.

1,400 Bars were issued for this small expedition.