Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare West Africa D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Merriman, Royal Artillery, who was decorated for services which resulted in the capture of Tambi and Toniataba in 1892

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1892 (Capt: R. G. Merriman. R.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. R. G. Merriman.) the first with minor chips to red enamel on obverse centre, otherwise very fine and better (2) £2,800-£3,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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Buckland Dix & Wood, July 1993.

D.S.O. London Gazette 9 August, 1892: 'In recognition of his services during the recent operations on the West Coast of Africa, resulting in the capture of Tambi and Toniataba.' Only 2 D.S.O.s were awarded for the capture of Tambi.

Reginald Gordon Merriman was born on 10 November 1866 at Aden, son of General Charles James Merriman, C.S.I., Royal Engineers (late Bombay Engineers), and Eugenia Sybilla, daughter of Colonel Richard Bulkeley, Indian Army. He was educated at the United Services College, Westward Ho!, North Devon, and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where he was the Tombs Memorial Scholar of 1884. He joined the Royal Artillery in December 1884, and served in the Expedition to the Tambaku country, West Africa, in 1892, being decorated for his services, particularly in the capture of Tambi. The fortified stronghold of Tambi on the River Scarcies was assaulted on 7 April 1892. Merriman was in command of the Battery of Houssa, and after breaches had been made in the walls by his artillery, the town was assaulted and captured. The expeditionary force was then reorganised for an attack against the stronghold at Toniataba which was captured on 28 April. The Insignia were presented by the Queen at Osborne on 10 January 1893. He was promoted Captain on 31 December 1893, and Major on 9 December 1903. Captain Merriman was Adjutant of the Kent Artillery, E.D. R.A., from 1895 to 1899, and held various staff appointments at home before being appointed Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 January 1913. During the Great War he served in France from August 1916 to January 1917 with the Siege Artillery.