The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, S. Nigeria 1905-06 (2764 Pte. Balogun Igbirra, S.N. Regt.) minor surface scratches through cleaning, very fine £120-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Another punitive expedition commanded by Trenchard, with assistance from Captain G. T. Mair, Royal Field Artillery, this one in response to the particularly unpleasant murder of Dr. Stewart in the Oswerri District.

Magor states: ‘This medical officer was new to Nigeria and was travelling alone through the bush on his bicycle and lost his way. Accounts vary as to what happened. Some say Stewart was murdered as he slept, others that he was captured, trussed up naked and carried alive from villlage to village with bits being cut off as ‘juju’ until finally he was decapitated and eaten. All however agree that his body was cut up into small pieces and distributed around for consumption as a fetish. All those who ate a piece of Dr. Stewart would henceforth be released from the white man’s domination and protected from any harm from a European ... There was severe fighting which did not really end until those responsible for Stewart’s murder were captured, summarily tried and hanged ... Dr. Stewart’s skull and bones, except for the hands and left leg, were eventually surrendered and sent to Calabar for burial.’

Trenchard and Mair received D.S.Os.