Ashanti Medal 1900. Silver 'High Relief' issue. No clasp (1449 Pte. Bissawoo. G.C.C)

Medal roll shows entitled to clasp 'Kumasi'

The recipient was an indigenous West African soldier from the Gold Coast region (present day Ghana) who held the rank of Private while serving with the Gold Coast Constabulary

Medals & clasps verification: The award of the Ashanti Medal is confirmed per the respective campaign medal roll of the Gold Coast Constabulary. The recipient is also confirmed as being prior entitled to the East & West Africa Medal with clasp and an Ashanti Star 1896 (which were issued un-named). The respective campaign medal rolls are cited below:

- Ashanti Star 1896: WO 100/79 showing as served 0/12/1895 - 17/01/1896, compiled Accra Cantonments 06/03/1901
- East & West Africa Medal & clasp '1897-98': WO 100/83 for expedition to Northern Territories of Gold Coast, compiled Accra Cantonments 06/03/1901
- Ashanti Medal 1900-01 with clasp 'Kumasi: WO 100/93 compiled Kumasi 17 May 1902 (shown as serving at Kumasi, at time the roll was compiled)

State of the Ashanti Field Force on 1 November 1900: An abstract note signed by the Officer Commanding the Ashanti Field Force, preceding the medal roll for the Ashanti Campaign (All Regiments, Units and Staff), shows that the Gold Coast Constabulary (later Gold Coast Regiment) comprised:

- Officers: x 13
- Native Officers: x 2
- Natives: x 424

Gold Coast Constabulary: Was established in 1879 from personnel of the Hausa Constabulary of Southern Nigeria, to perform internal security and police duties in the British colony of the Gold Coast (present day Ghana). For their services in the Ashanti Campaign of 1900-1901, the unit was awarded the battle honour 'Ashanti 1900'. In 1901, the Gold Coast Constabulary was restyled as the Gold Coast Regiment, and became a constituent regiment of the West African Frontier Force, under the direction of the Colonial Office of the British Government. The regiment raised a total of five battalions for service during the First World War, all of which served during the East Africa campaign. During the Second World War, the regiment raised nine battalions, and saw action in Kenya's Northern Frontier District, Italian Somaliland, Abyssinia and Burma as part of the 82nd West African Division

Condition: About EF

Code: 23621