Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major H. B. Woods, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (Captn., R.M.L.I.); Khedive’s Star, 1884-86, unnamed as issued, pitting and contact marks, good fine (2) £500-600

Henry Byron Woods was born in London, the son of The Revd. H. H. Woods, Rector of Tidmarsh. He received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines Light Infantry on 22 June 1867, aged 19 years. On 5 July 1867 he made (or attempted) a rescue on the River Thames at Pangbourne, for which he was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal (Case No.17979). Promoted to Lieutenant on 3 August 1867, he saw service aboard H.M. Ships Liffey, Cambridge and Black Prince, 1869-75. In 1873, he volunteered for service on the Gold Coast in the Ashantee War but was not sent. After further service on Narcissus and Hercules, October 1877-June 1878, he committed some misdemenour, and was sent to the Plymoth H.Q.; here he was Court Martialled, found guilty and was dismissed from his ship with the loss of 2 years seniority (6 June 1878), however, 21 months seniority was restored by Her Majesty during the following month. His next posting was to the Mail Packet Rover on the North America and West Indies Station, July 1878-May 1879. He then served on the troop ship Jumna and thence H.M.S. Boadicea, June - August 1879, and was encamped for 14 days at Simons Town, South Africa. Service on the Indus followed, April 1880-December 1881, being promoted Captain on 1 July 1881. He was posted to the Hibernia on 3 May 1882, but his career as an officer came under threat, when, after a further court appearance he was adjudged a bankrupt (London Gazette 20 May 1882). It was ordered that he ‘... be superseded on board the Hibernia by another officer - “My Lords do not consider he should continue to hold an appointment on board one of H.M. Ships; thus bringing discredit on the service and enabling him to evade his creditors”’. His bankrupcy was however annulled (London Gazette 17 November 1882) and he resumed his service aboard the Hibernia.

On 14 February 1884 he volunteered for active service in Egypt and proceeding to Suakin, volunteered for service with the Royal Naval Battalion or Mounted Infantry. With the R.N. Battalion in Sudan from 1 January-16 May 1885 as Musketry Instructor, he served with the Battalion R.M. in the Expedition under Sir G. Graham, and was present at the reconnaissance of Hasheen, 1 February, the battle of Hasheen, 20 March and capture of Tamai, 3 April 1885. He was recommended for his distinguished service in the Sudan, 16 June 1885. Returning to England, on 11 July 1886 he again made a rescue on the River Thames, this time at Streatley. For this action he was awarded a clasp to his R.H.S. Bronze Medal (Case No.23272). In recognition of his distinguished service in the Sudan he received the Brevet of Major on 31 December 1887, being promoted Major on 23 March 1889. Unfortunately, later in the year, some unknown disaster befell him and in October he was again tried by General Court Martial, at which he was found guilty and on 17 October 1889 was dismissed from the Service. Sold with copied service details. (For his son’s medals, see lot 1076)