Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 3 clasps, Tamaai, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (T. Coyne, Pte. R.M.) old repair to suspension and pitting from star, otherwise better than good fine and rare £400-450

Ex Douglas-Morris Collection, February 1997.

Only 3 medals issued to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines with these clasps, all Royal Marines.

Thomas Coyne was born on 18 March 1858 at Kiltolough, Dunmore. He attested at Walmer, joining No 19 Company on 18 September 1877, and joined H.M.S. Boadicea as a member of the ‘Battalion for South Africa’ on 6 June 1879, returning to Plymouth on 21 August 1879 not having taken part in the campaign. He served next aboard Cambridge (1879-81), Valiant (1881-83), Superb (1883-84), Euryalus for R.M. Battalion from February 1884 to 10 April 1884, and Superb (April 1884 to March 1885). He was a member of the Royal Marine Battalion Egypt from 3 March until 16 May 1885. He completed his service at sea aboard Indus (1885-88), Revenge (1888-90), Himalaya (1891-94) and lastly Phoebe (January 1896 to May 1898) to serve ashore with the Sapoba Column in the Benin 1897 Expedition where he earned an East & West Africa medal with clasp ‘Benin 1897’. He was discharged to shore having served his pensionable time on 9 November 1898. During his career he was reduced to Second Class for misconduct on three occasions, and lost one Good Conduct Badge on two occasions, in consequence of which he was never awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal.