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

The extremely rare and highly important K.C.M.G., C.B. group of eight awarded to Sir Frederick Jackson, arguably the founding father of Uganda, where he was ultimately Governor and Commander-in-Chief from 1911-18: as a young pioneer in 1889, against strong international competition, he led the Imperial East Africa Company’s expedition to Uganda, re-establishing the power of King Mwanga, who signed in the following year a treaty placing his territories under the Company’s influence

The Order of St. Michael and St. George, K.C.M.G. set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, and breast star, silver, gold and enamel centre; The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Civil), Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1895), complete with usual swivel-ring suspension and riband buckle; East and Central Africa 1897-99, 2 clasps, Lubwa’s, Uganda 1897-98 (Mr. F. J. Jackson, C.B); Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Uganda 1900, Nandi 1905-06 (Mr. F. J. Jackson, Uganda Rifles); Imperial British East Africa Company’s Medal (F. J. Jackson); Belgian Order of Leopold I, Grand Officer’s breast star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel centre enamel work slightly chipped in places, one or two edge bruises, cleaned and lacquered, otherwise generally good very fine (8) £6000-8000

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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K.C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1913.

C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1899.


Frederick John Jackson was born at Oran, Yorkshire in 1860 and was educated at Shrewsbury and at Jesus College, Cambridge. Clearly an ambitious and adventurous spirit, in the mid-1880s he set out for Africa, where he would find profitable employment with the Imperial British East Africa Company.

Quickly making his mark as a solid Yorkshireman, and displaying the key ingredients of a successful pioneer, namely a ready grasp of soldiering and administration, and no small degree of courage, he was rewarded, in 1889, with command of the Company’s all-important expedition to Uganda, an enterprise that was closely associated with the activities of Stanley and Emin Pasha, among other leading characters of the period. But his task was immense, ever present black spots including battling egos, dirty politics and considerable international competition - one of his German competitors even managed to intercept his mail. The background and events of this African saga are discussed with suitable candour by Thomas Pakenham in his much acclaimed history, The Scramble for Africa 1876-1912. And Jackson would later publish Early Days in East Africa. But for the purposes of this exercise, it will suffice to record that he performed his difficult duties with diligence and success, re-establishing the power of King Mwanga, who by treaty in April 1890 placed Uganda under the Company’s influence. Indeed, the young adventurer’s place in the history of Empire was already secure.


Still in the Company’s employ, Jackson next participated in the Witu Expedition of October 1890, under the command of Admiral Freemantle, but his civilian status excluded him from entitlement to the appropriate Medal and clasp. And a similar situation would arise with the Central Africa Medal with ‘1894-98’ clasp, during which period Jackson, now a member of the Colonial Office, served variously as a 1st Class Assistant, acting British Vice-Consul and Deputy Commissioner of Uganda. Although clearly required at Government Headquarters in Kampala for much of this period, Jackson ‘escaped the office’ whenever possible, and is known to have been closely involved in the 1895 operations against King Kabarega, and to have participated in the first Nandi Expedition of May-June 1897, under Major T. Ternon. Neither won him any medals but, as we shall see, by participating in the latter operations he set in motion a remarkable Nandi Expedition hat trick.

For his subsequent services as Acting Commissioner between 1897-98, however, when he oversaw much of the Government’s response to rebellion within the ranks of the Sudanese, and served in Major J. R. MacDonald’s column, Jackson was awarded the East and Central Africa Medal and two clasps. More significantly, for someone who was still in his thirties, he was also created C.B., which insignia he received back home on 30 January 1899, when invested at Osborne by Edward, Prince of Wales.

Returning to Uganda, he served as Chief Political Officer in the Nandi Expedition of 1900, under Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Evatt, D.S.O., and no doubt played his part in reassuring Sir Clement Hill, the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office, that all would be well. The latter, who had been visiting Uganda, was compelled to remain at Fort Ternan for a time, as a result of the railways being delayed by marauding Nandi. Duly awarded the Africa General Service Medal and ‘Uganda 1900’ clasp, Jackson was appointed Deputy Commissioner East Africa Protectorate in 1902, and awarded the C.M.G.

He was still serving in this capacity in 1905, when for a third time he became embroiled in a Nandi Expedition. Indeed it was as part of these operations that Lieutenant Richard Meinertzhagen, King’s Africa Rifles, prompted three Courts of Inquiry by parleying with the Laibon called Koitalel. The latter tried to ambush the Lieutenant’s party, but in the ensuing melee he was shot dead together with 23 of his entourage. ‘Opinion was that Meinertzhagen should be awarded the Victoria Cross,’ but, continues Magor, ‘the civilians had the last word as he was sent back to England. It was one of many Administration versus Army ‘fetinas’ (feuds).’ Undoubtedly Jackson had his say in this controversial episode.

Appointed Lieutenant-Governor East Africa Protectorate in 1907 and, fittingly for a man who had dedicated his life and career to Uganda, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of that corner of Empire in 1911, Jackson finally stepped down in 1917, having been created a K.C.M.G. in the New Year’s Honours List of 1913.

Sir Frederick, a noted big game shot and expert on East African bird life, retired to St. Leonards-on-Sea. He died in February 1929.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including original K.C.M.G., C.M.G. and C.B. warrants, together with St. Michael and St. George statutes; warrant appointing Jackson Vice-Consul in Uganda in 1895, and printed notices of his appointment to Lieutenant-Governor in 1907 and to Governor in 1911; two coloured prints of African birds, the Drepanoplectges Jacksoni and the Ploceus Jacksoni; and assorted correspondence and several photographs, the former largely with Lady Jackson after Sir Frederick’s death.