Medals from an Africa Collection

Pair: Major F. E. Ryde, West India Regiment, who was mentioned in despatches for his services in Sierra Leone, and later commanded the garrison at Fumsu during the Ashanti Campaign of 1900

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Sierra Leone 1898-99 (Maj: F. E. Ryde. 3/W.I.R.); Ashanti 1900, no clasp (Major. F. E. Ryde. 1/W. India: Rgt.) suspension slack on last, nearly very fine (2) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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F. E. Ryde was born in November 1862, and commissioned lieutenant in the West India Regiment in February 1884. He advanced to captain in November 1891, and to major in December 1897. Ryde served as governor’s adjutant for Jamaica and St. Lucia, before serving in operations in Sierra Leone as part of the Mendiland Expedition (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 29 December 1899).

The following extract from Cannibals and Tongo Players of Sierra Leone by M. Kalous, refers to his time in Sierra Leone:

‘From the District Commissioner Sherbro to the Colonial Secretary. Imperri Punitive Expedition.

“I issued an ultimatum to Tua Yammi Chief of Bambaia to surrender unconditionally to me here and that on the event of non compliance I should cause a military punitive expedition to move into the Imperri and lay waste to the country. The conditions not having been conformed to, I communicated with Major Ryde, and desired that troops might be sent to Imperri, myself accompanying the expedition. I burnt Bambaia and after crossing the creek destroyed Futa. Mokelpi was burnt, Imperri town was reached. One of the guides pointed out the spot where the late Assistant District Commissioner Mr Hughes, was murdered, and the skeleton was found, also another skeleton, and a third skeleton was said to be there. I was unable to find any traces of the late Mrs Hughes, although I personally carefully looked about the road for some distance where the unfortunate lady was said to have been massacred.”

Alldrige 30th July 1898.’

Ryde was Specially Employed in West Africa 1900, with The Ashanti Campaign of 1900 by C. H. Armitage giving the following details:

‘About mid-day on the 13th July we arrived at Fumsu, which was the advance depot of the Ashanti Field Force. The garrison was under command of Major Ryde, West India Regiment.

The country between Fumsu and Bekwai being in the hands of the enemy, it was three days before Major Ryde would consent to allow us to proceed to the front, but on the 16th July a convoy was sent off, escorted by 100 men and 2 guns, under the command of Colonel Morland, whom we special services officers accompanied.’

Major Ryde is also mentioned in The Great Drama of Kumasi by W. M. Hall, and The Relief of Kumasi by H. C. J. Bliss, and he retired in December 1903.

Sold with copied research.