Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private G. Gilbert, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai (4182 Pte., 3/K.R. Rif. C.); Khedive’s Star, 1882, unnamed, slight edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (2) £300-360

George Gilbert attested as a Rifleman 1472 on 13 June 1872 and joined the 1/60th serving in Canada. Transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1878. Rejoined as Rifleman 4182 in July 1879 and transferred to the 3/60th in April 1881. In Egypt he was present at the engagements at Magfar, Masama and Kassassin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Appointed Lance-Corporal in July 1884. On 1 April 1884 a company of Mounted Infantry was formed consisting of a section under Lieutenant Marling. Gilbert, by this time a Corporal, was one of 13 men from the 3/K.R.R.C. to join the company. With them he served in the Sudan campaign of 1884 and was present at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai.

Marling later wrote:

‘Friday, 15 February 1884: At stables from 7a.m. to 1p.m. off and on, everything anyhow. Inspected by General Sir Frederick Stephenson at 5p.m. Corporal Gilbert was rather drunk, and I put him under arrest ...’ (Ref. Rifleman and Hussar, by Colonel Sir Percival Marling, V.C., p.99).

Gilbert was discharged on 26 September 1884. With copied roll extracts.