Description
East and West Africa Medal, bar Sierra Leone 1898-99, 21091 Master Gunner Charles Crowe, Royal Garrison Artillery, a rare award to an experienced NCO who also got an MSM.
Officially impressed: “21091 2nd CL: Mr: Gr: C. Crowe. R.G.A.”
Award of the medal confirmed on his detailed set of service papers.
One of only about 85 medals issued named to the R.G.A. for the Hut Tax War in Sierra Leone.
A rare Sierra Leone clasp to a British Unit, no infantry regiments were officially present (apart from 1 Sergt attached from the Lanc Fus), the official involvement of the British Army, amounted to about 85 from the R.G.A, 56 from the R.E., 44 from the Army Medical Service, 16 from the Army Ordnance Corps, 6 From the Army Staff Corps and 29 from the Army Service Corps.
In total about 3930 medals were issued to the Army, and 312 to the Navy, the bulk being to the West India Regiment and West Africa Regiment who amounted for most of the awards, only 237 of which were to the British Army.
Charles Crowe was a long serving and distinguished Artillery-man, he began his Army Career back on 20th November 1876, and was not discharged until he was 47 years old in 1906.
With a career spanning about 30 years he saw rapid advancement up the ranks, he had seen service as a Mountain Artillery man in the North West Frontier of India earning the India General Service Medal bar Hazara 1888, as well as the clasp Hazara 1891.
He then earned the Long Service & Good Conduct about 1895, adding to that the Army Meritorious Service Medal in 1905, to top off a distinguished career.
A very odd and must be unique entitlement of medals.
Discharged on 22nd June 1906, after over 29 years of service his conduct was flawless said to be “Exemplary”.
Charles started off on 20th November 1876 as a Gunner with the 3rd Brigade R.A.
He was appointed as Bombardier on 11th may 1877.
Promoted to Corporal on 29th December 1880.
Promoted to Sergeant on 31st August 1881 with 9th Brigade R.A.
On 1st December 1883 he transferred over to the “Scottish Division” as Sergeant.
Promoted to Battery Quarter Master Sergeant on 17th december 1887.
After a reorganisation he “Became Mountain Artillery” being posted as Battery Quartermaster Sergeant from 1st July 1889
Appointed as Battery Sergeant Major to 1st Mountain Artillery on 2nd November 1890.
Promoted to 3rd Class Master Gunner and Transferred to the RA Staff at Rawalpindi Circle on 30th September 1893.
Transferred over to the Western District Western Division R.A. from 28th March 1895.
Granted “Permission to continue in the service beyond 21 years on 15th April 1897”
He was then Posted for service overseas with the R.A. on 28th May 1898, bound for Sieera Leone.
He disembarked there on 10th June 1898 as a 3rd Class Master Gunner.
Only 2 months later he was promoted whilst on service in Sierra Leone on 13th August 1898 to 2nd Class Master Gunner, as reflected on his medal naming.
After the success in Sierra Leone he returned to the Home Establishment on 3rd July 1899.
Seeing further promotion to 1st Class Master Gunner on 26th March 1902.
SERVICE AND MEDALS FROM HIS PAPERS
Overseas postings:
Home, 20th Nov 1876 – 25th September 1879
India, 26th Sept 1879 – 37th march 1895
Home, 28th March 1895 – 28th May 1898
Sierra Leone, 29th May 1898 – 16th July 1899.
Home, 17th July 1899 – 20th July 1906.
Campaigns fought:
“Black Mountain Expedition 1888 (aka Hazara 1888)
Hazara Field Force 1891
Sierra Leone 1898-1899”
Medals earned:
Medal for Meritorious Service Army Orders Jany 1905
India medal with clasp Hazara 1888 and clasp Hazara 1891.
Silver Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct without gratuity, Army Order 57 of 1895.
Sierra Leone 1898-1899.
After leaving the Army in 1906, Charles would enjoy a long retirement.
He lived to 80 years old, when he died in St Germans, Cornwall on 14th October 1940.
He lived at the curiously named house “Dar-es-Salaam” in Cawsand, Cornwall, a lovely village right by the water on the Rame Peninsula.
