A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (W. Taylor, Gunr. R.M.A. H.M.S. Active, 73-74) contact marks, nearly very fine £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Ashantee War 1873-74.

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118 clasps issued to H.M.S. Active.

William Taylor (alias Crisp), Gunner R.M.A., was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for services at the battle of Amoaful, 31 January 1874. He was recommended by Commodore Hewett, “For steady conduct under fire whilst leading the right section of his Company in advance through the bush at Amoaful, when the right flank was seriously threatened.”

William Taylor was born at Hales, Loddon, Norfolk, in September 1844, and enlisted into the Royal Marine Artillery at Derby on 15 March 1865. He served during the Ashantee war of 1873 aboard H.M. Ships Encounter and Active, and during the Egyptian war of 1882 when he was embarked aboard H.M.S. Alexandra, and landed with the Naval Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir. He was discharged ‘Invalided’ on 13 May 1885. Sold with copy service record which confirms award of C.G.M., Ashantee medal with Coomassie clasp, Egypt medal with Tel-el-Kebir clasp, and Khedive’s Bronze Star.