An extremely rare Edward VII D.S.O. group for Nigeria to Major L. Galloway, Royal Artillery

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, E. VII. R., in silver-gilt and enamels; QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SouthAfrica 1901 (Lieut., 17th Coy. W. D. R. G. A.); AFRICA GENE RAL SERVICE 1902-56, 2 clasps, N. Nigeria 1903-04, N. Nigeria 1904 (Lieut., R. A.); 1914 MONS STAR (Capt., D.S.O.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Major), mounted cavalry style, generallyvery fine(6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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D.S.O., London Gazette 25 August, 1905: 'For services during operations in Northern Nigeria.’

Major Lennox Galloway entered the Royal Artillery in 1899 and saw service during the Boer War, being mentioned in despatches in September 1901. He was next employed with the West African Frontier Force and with the exception of a short break between late 1907 and early 1908, he remained in this theatre until 1912. Apart from participating in operations in the Kabba and Bassa Provinces, he was actively engaged against the Semolika during 1904, being twice wounded, twice mentioned in despatches and awarded one of approximately 25 D.S.O.'s for this theatre prior to 1914. In the latter campaign, Galloway had been instrumental in preventing the rout of a W. A. F. F. column, when he resumed command despite his wounds, and completed the storming of an enemy held hill. He had earlier distinguished himself in the Okpoto operations, a 'particularly nasty, bloody little affair, ' in which the opposing tribesmen 'adopted hit and run tactics. ' This activity alone cost the W. A. F. F. nearly fifry men and at least ten towns and villages were burnt down in retaliation (see 'The Conquest of Northern Nigeria' by Richard H. Dusgate). Galloway was wounded again and twice mentioned in despatches during the course of his Great War services in France and Belgium between August 1914 and July 1916.