Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Colonel H. W. R. de Coëtlogon, Egyptian Army, who served as Governor and Commander at Khartoum prior to the arrival of General Gordon in February 1884; and following Gordon’s murder in January 1885 was the last living Englishman to have seen General Gordon alive

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (Col: H. de Coëtlogon.) partially officially corrected; Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, Third Class neck badge, silver and enamel, unmarked, significant green enamel damage to both obverse and reverse; Order of the Medjidieh, Third Class neck badge, silver, gold, and enamel, unmarked; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882 [sic], unnamed as issued, generally very fine except where stated (4) £1,400-£1,800

Henry Watts Russell de Coëtlogon was born in Munich on 20 August 1839, the son of the Rev. Charles de Coëtlogon, and was commissioned Ensign in the 15th Regiment of Foot in March 1858. Subsequently entering the Egyptian Service, he took part in the ill-fated Expedition under Hicks Pasha to the Soudan in 1883, and held Khartoum after the destruction of the Expedition’s forces, being appointed Governor of Khartoum. He held the appointment until the arrival in the city of General Gordon in February 1884, and for his services was awarded the Third Class of the order of the Medjidieh. Upon taking his leave of Khartoum he was assured by Gordon that, ‘rest assured, you leave this place as safe as Kensington Park.’

Subsequently appointed Divisional Inspector of the Egyptian Police, with the rank of Colonel, de Coëtlogon resigned as Commandant of the Alexandria Police in 1887, and was awarded the Third Class of the Order of Osmanieh. He was later appointed British Consul of the Navigator Islands in 1888, and died in 1908.

Sold with a large file of research, including various pages from the Illustrated London News, and a group photographic image of the recipient.