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Ashantee Highlander Sev Wounded AMOAFUL

Ashantee Medal, bar Coomassie, 1616 Private James Tevendale, 42nd Royal Highanders, the Black Watch, Severely Wounded in the Battle of Amoaful 1874, later Lance Sergeant.

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SKU: J7992 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Ashantee Medal 1873-4, bar Coomassie, 1616 Private James Tevendale, 42nd Royal Highanders, the Black Watch, Severely Wounded in the Battle of Amoaful 1874 and was said to have guarded David Livingstones Body.

 

Both a Scotsman and Black Watch Highlander Severely Wounded at Amoaful where they won a Victoria Cross, about as good as it gets for this war.

 

Officially engraved: “1616 Pte J. Tevendale 42nd Highds 1873-4”

 

Entitlement to medal and clasp confirmed on the medal roll.

 

Kirriemuir Observer records his death, 18th December 1936:

 

“Mr James Tevendale, a Black Watch Veteran, of Lochee, who has died at the age of 86, was one of the Party who guarded the Body of David Livingstone, the Explorer, on the journey back from Africa.”

 

Casualty Report from Amoaful:

 

“42ND HIGHLANDERS – Private J. Tevendale, Gunshot Wound of Left Arm, Severe.”

 

The Black Watch were lauded as heroes in their return, when they stepped off the boat in Portsmouth, there was a huge crowd of thousands cheering after hearing of the reports of their bravery in Ashantee.

 

During the Battle Samuel McGaw, Lance Sergeant of the 42nd Highlanders earned his Victoria Cross:

 

“On 21st January 1874 at the Battle of Amoaful, Ashanti (Now Ghana), Lance Sergeant McGaw led his section through the bush in a most excellent manner and continued to do so throughout the day, although badly wounded early in the engagement.”

 

Private James Tevendale, a Scotsman of the Black Watch, was born circa 1852 in Scotland.

 

The 1851 Census records a just born James Tevendale, son of William and Mary, born in Glenbervie, Kincardineshire, and living in Laurencekirk, very close to Montrose.

 

The 1871 Army Index records him as a Private in the 42nd Foot stationed with them at Aldershot.

 

Shown later on the 1881 Census living at the East Church in Perth, Scotland, “Corporal of 42nd Highlanders” born in Montrose.

 

When he was discharged from the Army, on 5th March 1884, he was allowed his discharge for free, currently a Lance Sergeant.

 

1901 Census, shows him living in Mains Burgh, Angus, working as as a Saw Miller, with his wife Janet and many children, 5 daughters and 3 sons.

 


The return of the Highlanders getting off the boat at Portsmouth, to an audience of thousands:

 

“The total strength of the 42nd has been reduced by 4 men, 2 having been killed at Amoaful and 2 died on passage home from the Cape Coast.
There were wounded at Amoaful, 104 men and 9 officers, including Major baird.
The difference in the men as they landed this morning and when they embarked at Cape Coast is described as being marvellous.

 

To look at them leaning over the side of the Sarmatian as she was being moored at the Jetty, no one could supposed that they had been marching and fighting for 6 weeks in the deadly swamps of Africa. They were brawny and bronzed and bright eyed, and looked, as one of the officers declared they were ‘Ready to start for Coomassie again tomorrow.’ They have been splendidly fed and well cared for on the voyage home.
About half a dozen men walked about with their arms in slings, and several had wounds to show, chiefly in the face and neck, but they were of the slightest character, and sometimes the wounded man has had a difficulty in finding the mark unassisted by associates.
The Black Watch have not gone to Coomassie for nothing. Nearly every man has some souvenir of the journey… …The Black Watch, themselves no Dwarfs, being much impressed with the size of the Ashantee Warriors…”