Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Good ‘Tamaai’ D.C.M., E.VII.R. M.S.M. combination group of five awarded to Sergeant-Major H. Howell, York and Lancaster Regiment, later Garrison Sergeant-Major at Belfast

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (2322. Ser... Howell. 1/York & Lanc: R. 13th Mar: 1884); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb-Tamaai (2322 Sergt H. Howell. 1/York & Lanc: R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (790 Gar:-Serjt:-Maj: H. Howell. Gar: Staff); Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (G. S. Mjr: H. Howell. St. Of The Army.); Khedive’s Star 1884, reverse neatly and contemporarily impressed ‘2322 Sergt. H. Howell 1st Y. & L.’, mounted for wear by Spink & Son, St. James, light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (5) £3000-4000

D.C.M. awarded for the battle of Tamaai, 13 March 1884. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 21 August 1884, details given in London Gazette 6 May 1884:

‘Sergeant Howell and Private P. Foy are also mentioned for their coolness and gallantry at Tamaai.’

Henry Howell attested for the 65th Foot in 1873. He served with the Regiment in India from March 1874, and as part of the Cardwell reforms of 1881, the 65th were re-designated the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

Howell advanced to Sergeant in June 1880, and served with the Battalion at the battle of El-Teb, 29 February 1884. On the latter date, after two hours of heavy fighting, and casualties for the Battalion of 7 men killed and 3 Officers and 33 men wounded, the village of El-Teb was captured. Howell distinguished himself in action at Tamaai on the 13th March. The square was broken, and the Battalion were involved in much hand to hand fighting against hoards of fanatical dervishes. The Battalion suffered 38 men killed and wounded.

Howell advanced to Colour Sergeant in October 1884, and to Sergeant Major in June 1887. As The Tiger And The Rose of 1 February 1893 describes, he ‘left us on 7th January [1893] to take up the appointment of Garrison Sergeant-Major at Belfast for which he had been selected by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief. Our much respected “S-M.” joined the old 65th just upon 20 years ago, and from the commencement of his military career showed that devotion to duty that every good soldier should. At the battle of Tamaai, during the Egyptian war of 1884, he won the medal for “Distinguished Conduct” for conspicuous bravery in front of the enemy.

Promoted Sergt.-Major in June, 1887, he has by every means in his power assisted the Commanding Officers and Adjutant to bring the Battalion up to its present most efficient state. The Regiment turned out to a man, to give him a farewell cheer as he drove out of Barracks on the 7th, to catch his train for the North. Some of us have heard from him since his arrival in Belfast, and we are glad to say he likes his new appointment immensely.’

Howell, having transferred to the Staff of the Army, was awarded the M.S.M. Army Order 27 February 1908, and the Annuity of £10. He died in December 1915.

Sold with copied research, and several photographic images of recipient in uniform - including as part of a group image as featured in Memoirs Of The 65th Regiment and a portrait image of the recipient as featured in The Tiger And The Rose.