In 1873 a large scale invasion of the coastal area of the Gold Coast ( now Ghana ) by the Ashanti tribesmen was repelled by a much smaller British force, but it was deemed necessary to mount a full expedition, led by Sir Garnet Wolseley, to subdue the Ashantis properly..
The force set out in January 1874 to advance on Kumasi, the Ashanti capital, and on the 31st January, at the battle of Amoafu, the British suffered 250 casualties inflicted by an enemy who, though hopelessly outgunned, had the advantage of numbers, made much better use of the terrain, and fought with considerable bravery. Despite this reversal Kumasi was captured shortly afterwards and burnt to the ground. By February the war was over and the Gold Coast was annexed as a Colony.
Reginald Sartorius was with a detached column, under Captain Glover, Royal Navy, which was following the River Volta on the right flank of the main advance. Sartorius was later sent out ahead of this column to join up with Wolseley at Kumasi and travelled through the entire 'war zone' with 25 men with only forty rounds of ammunition each.
For the award of the Victoria Cross.
[ London Gazette, 27 October 1874 ], Abogoo, Ashantee War, 17 January 1874, Captain Reginald Sartorius, 6th Bengal Cavalry, attached West African ( Gold Coast ) Housas.
For having during the attack on Abogoo, on the 17th January last, removed from under a heavy fire Serjeant-Major Braimah Doctor, a Housa Non-Commissioned Officer, who was mortally wounded, and placed him under cover.
Reginald Sartorius was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at a Windsor Park Review on 30th March 1875.
Major General Reginald Sartorius spent a distinguished career in India, taking part in the Indian Mutiny ( 1857-59 ) 72nd Bengal Native Infantry, and the expedition to Bhutan in 1864-65 5th Bengal Cavalry. After being promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 12th September 1878, he saw action in Afghanistan ( 1878-80 ).
Reginald Sartorius died on the 8th August 1907 in Cowes, and was buried alongside his parents in St Mary's Churchyard, South Baddesley.
His father was Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rose Sartorius and his brother was Major General Euston Henry Sartorius who also received a VC.