Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce and well-documented ‘Kassassin’ 1882 D.C.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal I. Drake, Army Hospital Corps

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Pte. I. Drake. A.H.C. 28th Aug: 1882.) minor official correction to ‘C’; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (3137. Pte. J. [sic] Drake. A.H.C.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, therefore very fine (3) £2800-3200

D.C.M. awarded for the battle of Kassassin, 28 August 1882. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 12 December 1883, which was made by Surgeon Major Corban, is extant and is as follows:

‘Surgeon Major Corban mentions the following men of the A. H. Corps as deserving Special recognition No. 3027 Pte James Luck and No. 3137 Pte Isaac Drake, not only for their service on August 28, but also on September 9th & 13th. Pte Drake he says, has gained the highest opinion of all the officers commdg. the most advanced line of skirmishers in every engagement for his gallant conduct coolness under fire.’

Isaac Drake was born in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, and attested for the Rifle Brigade at Aldershot, in January 1875. He transferred to the Army Hospital Corps, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry for service in Egypt. The latter consisted of being present at all of the following actions during 1882: Ramleh (5 August), El-Magfar (24 August), Tel-El-Maskhuta (25 August); Kassassin (28 August and 9 September), and Tel-El-Kebir (13 September). On his return to the UK, Drake was posted to the Station Hospital, Devonport. He was discharged 3 January 1887.

Sold with the following original documentation: Parchment Certificate of Discharge; two letters of recommendation, dated 15 November 1883 and 30 December 1883 respectively; certified note of engagements present at, dated 8 April 1883.