East and West Africa Medal 1887-1900. Silver issue with 2 x clasps '1892' & 'Sierra Leone 1898-99' (464. Pte. J. Wilson. 1/W. I. Rgt.)

Medal & Clasps Verification: No.464 Private James Wilson, 1st Battalion West India Regiment is confirmed entitled to the medal and 3 x clasps per below following cited medal rolls

- E & W Africa Medal & clasp '1892': WO 100/76. Roll compiled & dated Sierra Leone, 10 December 1892
- Clasp only '1893-94: WO 100/76. Roll compiled & dated Sierra Leone, 16 February 1895
- Clasp only 'Sierra Leone 1898-99': WO 100/92. Roll compiled & dated Bermuda 27 October 1900

Whether, Joseph was ever physically issued the clasp '1893-94', is not known (his service papers refer to his service in all 3 x campaigns, and entitlement to all 3 x dated clasps). The medal is exactly as issued, with no signs of any other clasp having been mounted. The missing clasp being a fairly common occurrence for this particular medal to this regiment.....

Joseph Wilson was a native of the parish of Manchester, Brown's Town, Jamaica, where he was born circa 1871. By trade a 'Labourer' Joseph was 19 years of age, when he enlisted in the British Army when he attested for his local infantry regiment, the West India Regimen, at Up Park Camp Jamaica, on 26 September 1890. After training he was posted to the 1st Battalion in March 1891, and remained with 1/WIR for the rest of his military service. By the time he took his discharge from the British Army on, 11 January 1901, Joseph - who remained a 'Private' throughout his 10 years 101 days - had been deployed and served in the below following locations:

- West Indies: 28/09/90 - 26/01/92
- West Africa: 27/01/92 - 27/02/95
- West Indies: 28/02/95 - 16/11/97
- West Coast of Africa: 17/11/97 - 07/11/99
- Bermuda: 08/11/99 - 21/12/00
- West Indies: 22/12/00 - 11/01/1901

The recipients service papers record that he was present at the below following campaigns in West Africa:

- Expedition to Tambaka Country & subsequent Capture of Tambi 7 April 1892
- Expedition against Sofas 1893-94
- Expedition into 'Foreign Condo', Gambia, Capture of Gunjuro 9 March 1894
- Operations in Sierra Leone 1898-99 (the Hut Tax War)

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Sold together with a photocopied hardcopy set of service papers

Condition: Toned about EF

Code: 24930