Ashanti Star 1896, awarded to Superintending Nursing Sister Joan A Gray, Army Medical Service

The Ashanti Star was awarded to the members of the expedition against the Ashanti King Prempeh in 1896. This came about due to the Ashanti's refusal to become a British protectorate. Eager to keep out any rival European powers, the British wanted to secure the country and its large gold reserves. A force under the command of Sir Francis Scott captured Kumasi without a fight after the Ashanti king instructed his subjects not to resist. Prempeh was forced to sign a treaty of protection and then sent into exile.

From medal group including, Royal Red Cross, 1st Class, 1883, South Africa Medal for Zulu and Basuto Wars 1877-79, Egyptian Campaigns Medal 1882-89, Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902, King's South Africa Medal 1901-02 and Khedive's Egyptian Star 1882-91.