A rare Great War Cameroons 1914 operations W.A.F.F. D.C.M. awarded to Private Owalibe Ajashe, 3rd Nigeria Regiment, who was killed in action in September 1917

West African Frontier Force Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4046 Pte. Owalibe Ajashe, 3/Nigeria R.), good very fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood.

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One of only 165 George V issues.

W.A.F.F. D.C.M. London Gazette 24 November 1916: ‘For gallantry in the Cameroons, 24 October 1914.’

Private Owalibe Ajashe was serving with the Cross River Column and Captain C. E. Roberts, commanding ‘B’ Coy. 3/Nigeria Regiment, has reported as follows concerning him:

‘On the 24th October, at Baje in the Cameroons, I was in command of a reconnoitring patrol. Coming under fire from an enemy post 300 yards distant, I withdrew my patrol into the dense bush. Unfortunately one of my men was severely wounded during the retirement and remained in an exposed position. As soon as we had reached cover Pte. Owalibe Ajashe volunteered to bring in the wounded man, he crawled out a distance of 80 yards, reached his comrade and succeeded in bringing him back, being under fire the whole time.’

Private Owalibe Ajashe was killed in action in East Africa on 30 September 1917, and is commemorated on the Calabar (Nigeria) War Memorial.