medal code J2654

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A FINE ASHANTEE MEDAL TO A CAPTAIN OF THE 2ND WEST INDIA REGIMENT, NOTED FOR HIS GALLANTRY IN NOVEMBER 1873, DURING WHICH HE WAS WOUNDED. LATER SERVING WITH THE 96TH, 32ND AND OXFORDSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie ‘Capt: F. W. S. Grant. 2nd. W.I. Regt. 1873-4’

Francis William Seafield Grant, the eldest son on J.G. Grant C.M.G., obtained a Commission as Ensign in the 2nd West India Regiment on 4 July 1865. Promoted Lieutenant on 9 November 1866, from 27 May 1869 until 7 July 1870 served as ADC to the Governor of Bahamas. On August 27 1870, Grant was appointed Fort Adjutant at Sierra Leone and was promoted Captain on 26 March 1873. With the outbreak of War with the Ashantee , Captain Grant and his regiment were landed at Cape Coast Castle in July 1873. During the rest of the year and until the arrival of British reinforcements in January 1874, the 1st and 2nd West India regiments, locally raised troops and Royal Navy landing parties, took the conflict to the Ashantee. Captain Grant was present in command of the detachment of his regiment at the repulse of the Ashantee Army at Abrakrampa, 5 and 6 November 1873. During the battle, Grant led his men in two charges against an advanced party of the enemy, during one of which he was wounded. The conduct of this detachment under Grant was Mentioned in Despatches. Of the latter, to quote ‘Through Fanteeland to Coomassie’;
“ Suddenly whilst waiting for something to fire at, Major Russell’s voice was heard shouting, ‘Don’t fire; I’m going to sent twenty of the 2nd West Indians to clear the hill’. Almost at the word the fine fellows lying in the trench below crept swiftly out, mounted the slope in a run, and poured a deadly fire from its crest, The enterprise needed courage of no low order and well it was performed. The Ashantees fled back up the valley, pursued as far as the bush by their antagonists, the first of whom, charging right up to the deadly brushwood was Captain Grant..”

A correspondent would write of the above;
“Captain Grant of the 2nd West India Regiment was stationed with thirty soldiers to the left of the church and received permission to clear the hill. Captain Grant took his men over the open near the brow behind the Ashantees were lying. Then, waving his sword in the air, cried ‘Charge’ and went at the double, followed by his men and the ‘Times’ correspondent”

Cleary not severely wounded enough to be away from duty for long, Grant is further noted as crossing the River Prah with 200 men on 13 January 1873, this in advance of the general offensive on the 23rd of that month. Having taken part in the operations that ended the conflict, on 1 April, Captain Grant was appointed ADC to the Governor of West Africa Settlements, remaining in this position until 10 September that year. On 11 November 1875, Grant transferred to the 96th Foot and on 13 September 1879, to the 32nd Foot. On December 13 1886, he was appointed Major (Half Pay) and on 6 January 1886 to the depot of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry. Major Grant remained at this post until placed on retired pay on 13 December 1890.

Condition, some contact wear, thus VF. Sold with a copy newspaper article. Various mentions of Captain Grant can be found in publications on the Ashantee War.

Code J2654        Price £1585