West Africa 1898 D.S.O. pair awarded to Lieutenant , Middlesex Regiment  who was wounded, mentioned in despatches, and DSO for services in Illah campaign,  wounded at the head of his men in the ‘Bold’ attack on Iselpatima in November 1898, his  Hausas  accounted for scores of enemy troops, later died of blackwater fever at Lagos on 4 February 1900

Distinguished Service Order, (V.R.), silver-gilt and enamel, with top riband bar, East & West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1898 (Lieut.  Middx: Rgt.),

W. St. A. Wake.

D.S.O. London Gazette 30 June 1899:

‘…in recognition of the services of the undermentioned Officers with the Royal Niger Constabulary during the recent operations in the Benin Hinterland & Siana etc..’

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 May 1899. One of just 11 ‘mentions’ conferred for operations in the Benin Hinterland and Siana Expedition of 1898.

William St Aubyn Wake was born on 26 October 1871 at Fotheringay, Oundle, Northamptonshire.  2nd Lieutenant Middlesex Regiment 18 June 1892, Lieutenant on 17 August 1894 and placed on Special Extra Regimental Employment in West Africa from 27 August 1898. Serving under the Royal Niger Company,  operations in the Niger Territories, including Benin Hinterland and Siama Expeditions. During the campaign he was wounded, mentioned in despatches and  D.S.O.

The London Illustrated News on 31 December 1898:

‘Short and scrappy as have been the tidings of recent fighting in Nigeria, they have clearly indicated the bold stand made against the rebellious tribes in the Hinterland of Benin by the bearers of the Royal Niger Company’s standard. In the middle of November, as we have only lately learned, Lieutenant William St. Aubyn Wake, of the 2nd Middlesex Rifles, boldly attacked and took the town of Iselpatima.

The losses of the Company’s Hausa troops were seven killed: and Lieutenant Wake himself, as well as Lieutenant Williams, of the South Wales Borderers, were among the slightly wounded. The native losses were 150 killed.’

Wake died of blackwater fever at Lagos on 4 February 1900, aged. His  D.S.O. was returned via the Foreign Office, and sent to his mother residing at Brompton Square, London. His Medal & clasp, issued off a Special Roll and named to his parent Regiment was issued for his services in the Illah area on 25 April 1902