Ashanti War Medal, by G.W. de Saulles, 1901, with bar for Kumassi

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Ashanti Medal, 1901

The lion had an irresistable attraction for medal designers during the expansion of the empire in Africa, as it was native to Africa as well as symbolising Britain’s fighting spirit. On the Ashanti War Medal the lion stands proudly on a rock, with a native shield and spears below.
In the Ashanti Rising of 1901 British troops and local levies were besieged in the town of Kumassi for four months. Private Mandi of the West Africa Frontier Force was one of the defenders, and his medal is presented here. It was purchased by Lester Watson at some point before 1928.