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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 496

A Great War 'German East Africa' group of four awarded to Captain W. G. Ambrose, 3rd Battalion, Nigeria Regiment, late Cheshire Regiment and Political Officer, Colonial Office

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. G. Ambrose. 3-Nig. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. G. Ambrose.), very fine (4)

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918. History of the Royal West African Frontier Force confirms the award for gallantry at Itete River on 26 July 1917. With the Nigerians in German East Africa gives more detail:

'On 25 January the enemy attempted to ambush the 3rd Battalion Company, but were driven off. However, on the following day they attempted the same again, with some success. The enemy on this occasion were in strength and included a large proportion of Europeans.

It was necessary to drive the enemy out of their position on the road, so as to permit the remainder of the Column to get through without being harassed. A sharp fight ensued, in which the Nigerrians were successful and managed to dislodge the enemy from their position after a two-hours' fight. The 3rd Battalion Companies suffered 17 casualties in this engagement, of which five rank and file were killed...This little engagement was a most creditable piece of work on the part of the two 3rd Battalion Companies [one Commanded by Ambrose]. The thickness of the bush and the strong position taken up by the enemy made their success all the more creditable. The 3rd Battalion's comparatively small losses in this engagement were due entirely to the excellent leadership of the two Company Commanders engaged, and to the exemplary behaviour of the men.'

William Gerald Ambrose was born in 1869 at London, obtained honours in Law from University College, Oxford in 1890, whilst also taking the Maclaren Medal for Boxing, was called to the Bar passing 5th in 1893 and was put forward to be a Distict Commissioner in the Colonial Service in October 1895. He was working in the Nigeria Political Service at Igbo Binni in 1897 and was involved in the boundary work with the King of Mahin in that period. He was also made a Captain in the Cheshire Regiment as early as November 1898, was put forward for the Aro Expedition and was a Senior District Commissioner in 1909, in his own words having '...spent many years pacifying unruly tribes generally in the capacity of Political Officer with a military expedition'. Upon the outbreak of the Great War, Ambrose was commissioned Captain from the Reserve of Officers and served in the Cameroons from August 1914. He latterly served in German East Africa. Further to the gallantry displayed at Itete, Ambrose was again to the fore at the sharp action at Nyengedi on 30 September 1917, when in Command of No. 12 Company. Further to his award of the Military Cross, WO32/5320 gives following:

'Has throughout the campaign done good work and rendered very valuable service as a Company Officer.'

Ambrose retired after some twenty-five years of devoted service to the West African Field Force and as a Political Officer, drawing a pension of £742. He bred and broke prize-winning cocker spaniels and attempted to gain employment with the British Government in China in 1925, whilst living at The Moors, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire (WO339/8606, refers); sold together with copied research and extracts.

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Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£600