Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Good ‘Ashantee 1873-74’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant G. Taylor, Rifle Brigade, who accounted for two Ashantees during the fight at Ordahsu, including a Chief whom he ran through with his sword

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Pte. George Taylor. 2nd Battn. R.B.) suspension claw tightened; Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (1634. Pte. G. Taylor, 2 Bn. Rifle Bde 1873-4) pawnbroker’s marks to edge of both, contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £5000-6000

Private George Taylor, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Birgade, was awarded the D.C.M. for his services in the Ashantee War of 1873-74. His medal was presented to him by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 16 May 1874.

George Taylor was born in Devonport, and attested for the Rifle Brigade at the place of his birth in June 1869. He served with the 2nd Battalion throughout the Ashantee campaign 1873-74, during which he was present at the battle of Amoaful, the advance to Commassie and the stiff fighting at Ordahsu. Taylor distinguished himself at Ordahsu, as illustrated by the following extract from History of the Rifle Brigade:

‘Major Stephens with Scott’s company pushed steadily on by the road, one section of this company supporting the gun. At last they reached the clearing which surrounded the village of Ordahsu. “Then the Rifles gave a cheer, and with a sudden rush cleared the way to the open, and carried the village without check’ [G. A. Henty March to Coomassie]. This was Scott’s company, or part of it; and Lieutenant Harrington, with the remainder, swept round the edge of the clearing, and having thus outflanked the Ashantees in the village, also rushed into it. The village was held by fifty or sixty of the enemy, who fought bravely, and were most of them killed. Major Stephens, with Scott and his portion of the company, passed through the village and to the edge of the clearing beyond it where the Riflemen lying down kept up a constant fire on the enemy. Sackville also brought up his company, one section being still with the gun, and as Scott’s party had purposely left the road clear the gun made good practice to the front. It was afterwards taken forward beyond the village to where Major Stephens, with Scott and his party, were, and a heavy fire of shell and of rockets was kept up. The Ashantees here made a most determined resistance, coming up to the very edge of the clearing and discharging their pieces. Sackville shot one with one of the men’s rifles. Meanwhile Major Sotheby was steadily advancing through the bush on the left of the road, and soon came up on the left of Scott’s company. Here Private Taylor of Sotheby’s company observed a chief and two other Ashantees in a tree about fifteen yards from him. He shot one man, and the other fled into the bush. The chief tried to hide himself in the leaves, and brought up his piece to his shoulder; but Taylor was too quick for him, and rushing up, ran him through with his sword before he could fire. For this act of valour Taylor received the medal for gallant conduct in the field.’

The Battalion suffered 3 officers and 17 other ranks wounded, with 1 non-commissioned officer killed, at Ordhasu. Taylor advanced to Sergeant, October 1883. He was discharged on 3 June 1890, after 20 years and 336 days’ service with the Colours.

1 of 30 D.C.M.s awarded for the Ashantee campaign 1873-74.