Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second War ‘Somaliland operations’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Askari Simon, 2nd Battalion, King’s African Rifles, for his gallantry during the famous defence of the Tug Argan Pass in August 1940

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (5424 Askari Simon. K.A. Rif.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, contact marks, generally very fine (6) £1,400-£1,800

K.A.R. D.C.M. London Gazette 11 February 1941:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Somaliland’

One of eleven ‘African’ D.C.M.s gazetted in 1941 (four to the King’s African Rifles; three to the Somaliland Camel Corps; and four to the Northern Rhodesia Regiment). On 18 June 1942 the African D.C.M. was abolished, with the Regiments concerned instead receiving the ‘Imperial’ (British) D.C.M., and the award of Simon’s King’s African Rifles D.C.M. was cancelled and replaced with the Imperial D.C.M. in the London Gazette 21 July 1942.

The original Recommendation states: ‘Somaliland. Outstanding gallantry in the face of the enemy on 12 August [1940] in the Mirgo Pass. This young soldier displayed remarkable coolness and courage in returning with his section commander to retrieve a box of Bren Gun magazines left behind when the enemy had overrun his section position.’

Simon, son of Muhowa, a member of the Nguru Tribe, was born in Twanga Village, Mlanje District, and attested for the King’s African Rifles at Zomba on 12 October 1939. He served with the 1st/2nd Battalion during the Second World War in Somaliland, East Africa, and Ceylon, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Italian invasion of British Somaliland in August 1940. Askaris at War in Abyssinia gives the following account:

‘A few weeks after the siege of Moyale, the Italians invaded British Somaliland with an army of 25,000 men, 27 tanks, 100 armoured cars, and at least 20 big guns. Our little army consisted of 1,500 men, who came from Britain, India, and East Africa. There were the Somaliland Camel Corps, the 1st Northern Rhodesian Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, King’s African Rifles, and the East African Light Battery. On came the Italians, through Hargeisa (the headquarters of our government), through Kodi Yera, into the mountains, and down towards the coastal plains. Here, on the road from Hargeisa to Berbera, they they had to pass through a narrow place called the Tug Argan Gap and there they found our forces waiting for them. We were outnumbered by 15 to 1, but our men were determined that the enemy should not get through the pass until they had had to fight for it very hard. At this time the Italians had not yet become demoralised by many defeats and they still thought that they were brave and skilful fighters. They surged forward like wildebeeste charging blindly, but the African Askaris were like lions - brave and cunning. Many of the African soldiers were awarded D.C.M.s for their courage in this battle. Private Ronald, 2/K.A.R., remained at his post with his mortar under heavy artillery fire, regardless of his own safety, and set a fine example to his comrades. Later on, when the only European available was in the observation post, he kept his mortar in action with the greatest skill and coolness. Then there were Lance-Corporal Raphael and Private Simon, both 2/K.A.R., who inflicted many casualties on the enemy by firing their Bren guns with great devotion to duty. Later on 12 August, when their platoon was forced to withdraw, they returned to their gun position, and rescued a box of Bren gun ammunition. In the end, in spite of the Italians’ efforts, nearly all the 1st Northern Rhodesian Regiment and 2nd King’s African Rifles got safely away to Berbera.’

For his defence of ‘Observation Hill’ at the Tug Argan Pass, Captain Eric Wilson of the Somaliland Camel Corps was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.