Full medal write up
ASHANTI 1900, CLASP, KUMASSI ‘SERJ:-MAJ: A. GRIGGS. W.A.F.F.’
Sergeant-Major Griggs served with 2 Battery North Nigeria Regiment, West Africa Field Force and was one of only 4 officers and 4 men, Royal Artillery, to receive this clasp.
Griggs was wounded at Kokofu, as reported in Colonel Willcocks’ despatch of 14 August 1900 (London Gazette 4 December 1900):
‘On 23rd May Captain Hall attacked Kokofu but being opposed by vast numbers of the enemy was unable to capture it; his troops behaved well, but he was attempting a task which more than double the numbers were unable to effect later. On this occasion Lieutenant Edwards, Sierra Leone Frontier Police, Sergeant Griggs, R.A., West African Frontier Force, and six men were wounded.’
He is also mentioned in The Relief of Kumasi by Captain H. C. J. Bliss, W.A.F.F.
‘Before this anxious month of May [1900] was far advanced, the first contingent from Northern Nigeria arrived at Cape Coast under the command of Captain Hall. It consisted of two companies, 1st Bn. W.A.F.F., under Captains Wilson and Beamish, and one 75 m/m gun in charge of Sergeant Griggs, R.A. They immediately proceeded up-country, and were, in fact, the last body of troops to traverse the Adansi country unopposed.’
Details of Grigg’s service in the Royal Artillery prior to attachment to the North Nigeria Regiment, are as yet unknown.
Condition GF, half-hearted attempt to erase impressed naming, polished and loose swivel but very scarce. Sold with copied research and medal roll confirmation. Ex DNW June 2014 (£840 hammer).