Auction Catalogue

22 October 1997

Starting at 2:00 PM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Westbury Hotel  37 Conduit Street  London  W1S 2YF

Lot

№ 190

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22 October 1997

Hammer Price:
£360

The Egypt and Sudan campaign pair awarded to Corporal J. Smith, 24th Company, Royal Engineers, who was promoted to Sergeant for the defence of Ambigole Wells Fort and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (13482 Corpl. J. Smith, 24th Co. R.E.); Khedive’s Star 1882, pitting from star, therefore nearly very fine (2)

Sold with copies of service papers which confirm that he served in the Egypt Campaign of 1882 and was present at the action of Kassassin, 9 September 1882; also in the Nile Expedition 1884-85 - ‘promoted for defence of Ambigole Wells Fort; Nile Clasp 1884-85, Medal for Distinguished Service in the Field.’ The recommendation for the D.C.M. was submitted to the Queen on 18 November 1886.

In December 1885, the post at Ambigole Wells was attacked by 700 dervishes who had destroyed two and a half miles of railway between Wady Halfa and the advanced base at Akasheh. For three days the small party of engineers under Captain J. A. Ferrier, and his little garrison of 50 Berkshires, made a gallant defence, and drove the assailants away before the relieving forces arrived on December 4th. Ferrier was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order.