Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce Nile Campaign D.C.M. group of three awarded to Colour Sergeant J. Symons, Coldstream Guards, Guards Camel Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Sergt., 1/Coldm. Gds. 13th Feby. 1885); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (2505 Sergt., 2/Cm. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2505 Cr. Sergt., Coldm. Gds.) the first two with pitting and contact wear, better than good fine, the last very fine (3)

D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen, 7 November, 1885. The D.C.M. was presented by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 25 November, 1885, the circumstances behind the award being published in The Times the following day: ‘Colour-Sergeant J. Drew, Royal Marine Light Infantry, and Sergeant J. Symons, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards:- On the occasion of the attack on the sick convoy on the 13th ofFebruary, 1885, being with the advance guard, and ordered to fall back at once under fire, these two non-commissioned officers showed the greatest coolness in assisting to get the camels back to the column, and it was mainly owing to their exertions that they were brought in safely.’ The group awarded to Cr-Sergt Drew was sold in our sale of 5th March 1996.