Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Battle of El-Teb D.C.M. group of three awarded to Gunner I. Phipps, Royal Artillery, who engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat when they stormed the guns at El-Teb, 29 February 1884

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (25433 Gunr. J.[sic] Phipps. R.A. 29th. Feb. 1884); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 4 clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (25433. Gunr. I. Phipps. 6/1st. Sco: Div: R.A.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £3000-3400

Provenance: Spink, July 1996.

D.C.M. submitted to the Queen 23 May 1884.

The recommendation, from a Despatch by Major-General Sir J. Graham, V.C., K.C.B., London Gazette 6 May 1884, states:
‘In my Despatch of the 3rd March, I have referred to the cool deliberation and remarkable efficiency with which the 7-pounder Naval guns were worked at El-Teb by the 6th Battery, 1st Brigade, Scottish Royal Artillery, when opposed to the heavier Krupp guns of the enemy. These guns advanced with the Infantry, and sustained several of the enemy’s desperate charges. On one occasion those brave blacks succeeded, in spite of a storm of fire from Artillery and Infantry, in charging up to the guns and penetrating among the gun detachments. One was knocked down by Gunner Isaac Phipps with a rammer, another by Gunner James Adan with a blow on the face from a round of case which he was carrying in his hand, and a third was shot by Bombardier Treadwell with a revolver.’

Isaac Phipps was born at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, in 1850, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Hertford on 5 December 1870, having previously served in the Hertfordshire Militia. He served with the Artillery in Egypt and the Sudan from 31 August 1882 until 28 July 1886, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallant conduct at the Battle of El-Teb, 29 February 1884. He was discharged on 4 December 1891, after 21 years’ service, and died at Ware, Hertfordshire, on 12 December 1919.