Gorgeous British 42nd Highlanders Ashantee Ashanti War Medal Named 1873-1874

Description

Up for sale is a really superb "brooched" Ashantee War medal to a private from the 42nd Highland Regiment - the famous Black Watch! There were approximately 670 Ashantee Medals awarded to the Black Watch for their actions during the war, making this quite rare! Even more rare is that he was not entitled to a clasp...one of only 37 members of the Regiment!
A friend helped out with some research and background on the medal.
Robert Thomson was born in Cupar, Fife, Scotland, and having worked as a plaster, then attested for service with the British Army when aged 19 years and 6 months at Tayport on 15th November 1872, joining as a Private (No.2208) the 42nd Royal Highlanders Regiment of Foot - the Black Watch.
Thomson took part in the Ashantee Campaign on the Gold Coast of West Africa from 3rd December 1873 to 22nd March 1874, but was not present with his regiment at the battle of Amoaful on 31st January 1874, when the Black Watch led the way with the pipes playing ‘The Campbells Are Coming’ and then charged with the bayonets and the shocked Ashantis fled. During this action there were three Europeans killed and 165 wounded. Thomson would subsequently be awarded the Ashantee Medal 1873-1874 without clasp, which would be issued to him whilst garrisoned at Malta.
(Thank you Roan!) Further research goes on to show that he later lied about his age in order to enlist again for fighting in the First World War! (He was discharged in 1916, so this is his only medal entitlement.) Talk about a long serving hero of Her (and His) Majesty's Service!
Really a fantastic piece. It shows wear, has been brooched, but it's 100% real and genuine...he was quite proud of this and probably wore it for many years. Quite the history!
Thanks for looking!