1895


A punitive expedition was launched against the King of the Ashanti in 1873-74 in part to stop the human sacrifice that was being practised. However, twenty years later the terms of the agreement had still not be complied with, namely that the indemnity had not been paid, the country had not been opened up and human sacrifice continued. Consequently, another expedition was launched to punish the Ashantis and their ruler, King Prempeh.
 
A Special Service Corps was formed and it consisted of composite ‘regimental’ companies commanded by a Grenadier. Naturally the Guards formed several sections of a company from the three regiments of Foot Guards, the Coldstream contribution being one officer and thirteen men.
 
The expeditionary force arrived at Ashanti at the end of December 1895, and undertook a 150 mile march through dense tropical jungle before reaching King Prempeh’s stronghold at Kumassi. The journey took nearly three weeks.
 
At Kumassi, action was taken against Prempeh. Reparations were collected and much of the apparatus for human sacrifice was destroyed. The column then traced its route back to the coast and returned to the UK by the end of February 1896.

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