Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘German East Africa’ K.A.R. D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant Amenon, 2/2 King’s African Rifles

King’s African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (631 Sjt: Amenon. K.A.R.) slight edge bruising and polished, therefore fine £600-£800

D.C.M. London Gazette 28 August 1918:

‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on all occasions when in contact with the enemy. He is an excellent patrol leader and has been severely wounded twice.’ [HANFORCE].

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 March 1918 [Van Deventer].

Amenon/Amenoni, son of Kamata, was a member of the Atonga tribe from the village of Buwa, in the Chintechi district of Nyasaland. He enlisted into the 2/2 King’s African Rifles at Zomba on 16 October 1913, was appointed Lance-Corporal in December 1915, promoted to Corporal in July 1916, and to Sergeant in December 1916. He served in the war with Germany, August 1914-1918, including actions in British East Africa: ‘Mafia Is. Jan. 1915; Umba Valley Jan. 1915; Loosito April 1915; Rewa River March 1916. Wounded at Loosito 6 April 1915 (Wound Gratuity paid 27 May 1915)’. Operations in German East Africa 1916-17: ‘Kibata Dec. 1916; Kiwambi Jan. 1917; Nambanji March 1917; Makingaja April 1917; Mnindi July 1917; Narungombe July 1917. Wounded at Mnindi 8 August 1917 (Wound Gratuity paid 22 October 1917).’

Sergeant Amenon was awarded the African D.C. Medal in G.R.O. 549 of 17 June 1918, and exempted from payment of One Hut Tax for life for being awarded African D.C. Medal. He subsequently received a £10 gratuity for same on 21 December 1922, in addition to a war gratuity paid in July 1920. Sergeant Amenon was reduced to Corporal from Sergeant on two occasions and was discharged in the rank of Corporal, time expired, at Zomba on 31 December 1922. He was described as a ‘Good and brave soldier but adulterous’, his Defaulter Sheet recording crimes including ‘committing adultery with a comrade’s wife’, ‘attempted rape’ and ‘rape’. Sold with copied discharge papers.