Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A fine King’s African Rifles D.C.M. group of six awarded to Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Masauri, 2/1 King’s African RiflesKing’s African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (28 C.Q.M. Sjt. Masauri, 2/1 K.A.R.); Ashanti 1900, 1 clasp, Kumassi (92 Pte. Masouri [sic], 1st K.A.R.C.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 3 clasps, Somaliland 1902-04, Somaliland 1908-10, Nyasaland 1915 (92 L.Corpl: Masauri, 1st K. African R.); 1914-15 Star (BR 28 Sjt. Masauri 1/K.A.R.); British War and Victory Medals (BR 28 C.Q.M.S. Masauri 1/K A R) the second and third polished, good fine, otherwise good very fine and rare (6) £2,400-£2,800---D.C.M. Nyasaland Gazette 31 May 1918:‘For conspicuous gallantry during a patrol action on Lureko River, Portuguese East Africa, on 9th April 1918. With three men he held off a strong enemy attack on the convoy until reinforced, when he again engaged the enemy and saved the baggage. Though severely wounded he bravely continued to direct his party until he fell and was carried out of action.’Masauri was a member of the Yao tribe from the Mlanje district who attested for the King’s African Rifles on 17 October 1899, aged 19. He served in the Ashanti Expedition of 1900, including actions at Kumassi on 6 August and at Abuassi on 30 September (Medal & clasp); in the Somaliland Expedition 1902-04 (Medal & clasp); the Somaliland Expedition of 1908-10, from 6 January 1909 to 23 January 1910 (clasp); and in the Native Rebellion in Nyasaland in 1915 (clasp). During the Great War, as cited above, he was dangerously wounded in Portuguese East Africa in April 1918, and awarded the King’s African Rifles D.C.M. Masauri was finally discharged as medically unfit due to wounds and was in receipt of a Pension and Gratuity. Sold with full service record.------For more information, additional images and to bid on this lot please go to the auctioneers website, www.dnw.co.uk