East & West Africa Medal 1887-99

Awarded to Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford (1838-1913). Obverse: Head of Queen Victoria in a diadem and veil (left). Legend: 'VICTORIA REGINA' Reverse: a group of soldiers and Africans fighting in the bush for their fallen comrades. Suspended from a bar, and yellow ribbon with a broad black edge and two narrow black central stripes. Bars: 'GAMBIA 1894', 'BENIN RIVER 1894'. Inscription on edge: 'R.ADML SIR F.G.D BEDFORD KCG'. Mounted on a bar with seven other medals.

Bedford was commander-in-chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station from 1892 and in 1894 led a punitive expedition in the Gambia River area against local leader Fodi Silah, his squadron consisting of 'Raleigh' his flagship, ‘Satellite’, ‘Widgeon’, ‘Alecto’ and ‘Magpie’. Bedford landed his force in two columns and after some early reverses attempted to bombard Gunjur, Fodi Silah’s chief stronghold. Subsequently a naval brigade landed and advanced on the town, meeting up with a column of the West India Regiment en route. When they arrived at Gunjur, it had already been abandoned and set on fire. Fodi Silah fled.

On the Benin River later the same year, ‘Alecto’s’ steam cutter was attacked near Brohomi - the town of Itsekiri chief Nana Olumu, which ‘Phoebe’ and ‘Alecto’ then attempted to capture. They were reinforced by Rear Admiral Bedford in ‘Philomel’ with ‘Widgeon’. The town was occupied then destroyed by British forces, but Nana escaped.