Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce King’s African Rifles D.C.M. awarded to Colour-Sergeant George Williams for gallantry in German East Africa in 1914, subsequently recommended for the Victoria Cross and killed in action
King’s African Rifles Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1925 C.Sjt., 3/K.A.R.) good very fine

D.C.M. promulgated in K.A.R. Orders (Ref. ‘K.A.R.’ by W. Lloyd Jones p.133) and announced in The Times of 11th May 1917:
“For showing great courage and enterprise on the night of 5/6th September 1914, at the action at TSAVO. This N.C.O. twice, at great personal risk, crept up to the German position and brought back information of the enemy’s disposition and strength.”
Sergeant George Williams further distinguished himself in the action at JASIN on 18th January 1915, as a result of which he was put forward for the highest honour: “Already recommended for a V.C. If V.C. has not been granted - recommended for an additional bar” (PRO Ref. CO 534/19 p. 263). Sadly, neither the V.C. nor, it appears, a bar to the D.C.M. were forthcoming. The German account of these operations was as follows: “A strong British force was beaten in a two-day battle on January 18th-19th near Jassin. The British lost some 200 killed. Four Companies were captured. The total losses of the British were about 700 men, 350 rifles, one machine-gun and 60,000 rounds of ammunition.”
The following extracts are taken from ‘K.A.R.’ by W. Lloyd Jones: ‘Occasionally half-educated Swahilis ejected from the missions in Zanzibar presented themselves for enrolment, and were eagerly snapped up, as owing to their knowledge of a smattering of English they were invaluable as clerks and signallers. As can easily be imagined, these ex-mission boys were often characters, and many amusing stories are current concerning their bold if amusing efforts to express themselves on paper. Usually adorned by such uncompromising English Christian names as George Williams or John Dixon, they would frequently voice remarkably oriental and eminently pagan sentiments when trying to express themselves in the language of their adopted faith. George Williams, though nominally a Christian, made no pretence of piety, but freely admitted that he still feared the “devil” and other malignant spirits which had been a terror to his ancestors. He was an excellent signaller, and a capable Sergeant, though his occasional relapses resulted in his reduction to the ranks more than once. He always bobbed up again, and on several occasions he distinguished himself on service.’
‘He was killed during the Great War, but not before he had rendered excellent service and won the only decoration for gallantry for which African soldiers are eligible. For some reason best known to the authorities the African askari alone of all the King’s soldiers is ineligible for the V.C.’
Approximately 195 King’s African Rifles D.C.M.’s and 8 first bars were awarded between 1906 and 1925. (Research by John L Arnold)