Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Cameroons D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant E. E. Loch, Highland Light Infantry, attached Nigeria Regiment, recommended for the Victoria Cross for gallantry at Garua, West Africa, 29th-30th August, 1914

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) together with a Highland Light Infantry cap badge, nearly extremely fine (5) £900-1200

D.S.O. London Gazette 12 December 1919: ‘For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in East Africa, Somaliland and Nigeria.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 31 May 1916 (Brig-General Cunliffe’s despatch for the Cameroons), and 5 July 1919 (F.M. Sir Douglas Haig).

The following appeared in Brigade Orders, Nigeria Regiment, Kaduna, dated 24th September 1919: ‘It is notified for information that the Distinguished Service Order has been awarded to Captain E. E. Loch, The Highland Light Infantry (late 2nd Battalion Nigeria Regiment), for gallantry under the following circumstances:-

Most conspicuous gallantry in action, during the night operations against Garua on the night 29th-30th August 1914. On the morning of the 30th August, during the withdrawal Lieutenant and Adjutant Browne was wounded and unable to move. Lieutenant (now Captain) Loch, though himself wounded, went immediately to his assistance and carried him out of action on his back under an extremely heavy fire.’

Lieutenant Browne subsequently died from his wounds and was buried at Garua. According to the West African Frontier Force Register of Correspondence, Lieutenant Loch was recommended for the Victoria Cross for this action.

Eric Erskine Loch was born in 1891, and appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Highland Light Infantry, in October 1910. He was promoted Lieutenant in May 1913, and seconded for service under the Colonial Office in April 1914, to be attached to the 2nd Battalion, Nigeria Regiment, stationed at Lokoja. He took part in the Cameroons campaign and was present in the attack on Garua, where he was wounded. He was later invalided home and appointed Adjutant to the Highland Brigade stationed at Norwich. After the war he left the Army to take up an adventurous life, which included exploring and gold prospecting in South America. He died in January 1944 of a tropical disease and is buried at Huigra in Ecuador. Sold with further details including official reports of the Garua operations.