Orders, Decorations and Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (1763 Pte. R. Leppard, Rl. Suss. R.) small edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine and rare £600-800

Private R. Leppard was killed in action at Abu Klea, 19 January 1885.

Men of the Royal Sussex Regiment endeavoured to fill a gap in the square caused by the desperate retreat of the Naval Brigade’s Gardner Gun and subsequent movements of the Heavy Camel Regiment. In the melée that ensued, the Heavies in the rear face of the square were borne back by the masses of fanatic spearmen, carrying the Royal Sussex with them.

‘Within the square, the din of battle was such that no words of command could be heard, and each man was obliged to act on the impulses of the moment. Officers and men fought well in this short hand-to-hand encounter, and many acts of heroism were performed... But, before five minutes had elapsed, the little band of less than 1,500 British soldiers had by sheer pluck and muscle killed the last of the fanatics who had penetrated into their midst. At the same time, the fire of the Heavies and Royal Sussex had checked the formidable charge of the enemy’s cavalry.’

In this historic desert engagement the Royal Sussex Regiment had 5 killed and 26 wounded, extraordinarily light casualties considering the ferocity of the fighting.