Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 13 27 Nov 2017
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Military Orders and Medals, Campaign Groups and Pairs, Egypt Medal and Khedive's Star Pair to the Scots Guards, awarded to Private Christopher Rippley, of the 1st Battalion comprising: Egypt Medal 1882-89, one clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (4378 Pte. C. Rippley. 1/Scots Guards); Khedive's Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, pair loose, lightly toned, surface pitting to first and contact marks from star, number and name of regiment rather worn, generally nearly fine (2)
A 25,000 strong British force, under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley, landed in Egypt in August 1882, and on the 13th September, the decisive engagement of the campaign occurred, with the Battle of Tel el-Kebir, At 5.45 a.m. Wolseley's troops were six hundred yards from the entrenchments and dawn was just breaking, when Egyptian sentries saw them and fired. The first shots were followed by multiple volleys from the entrenchments and by the artillery. British troops, led by the Highland Brigade on the left flank, and the 2nd Brigade on the right flank with the Guards Brigade (commanded by Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn) in support, charged with the bayonet.
The British advance was shielded from view by the smoke from the Egyptian artillery and rifles. Arriving in the trenches at the same time, all along the line, the resulting battle was over within an hour. Most of the Egyptian soldiers were tired from having stood to all night. Because of the haste with which Urabi's forces had prepared their defences, there were no obstacles in front of them to disrupt the attackers. Several groups stood and fought, mainly the Sudanese troops in the front of the Highland Brigade, but those not overwhelmed in the first rush were forced to retreat. In the end, it was less a battle than a massacre. Official British figures gave a total of 57 British troops killed. Approximately two thousand Egyptians died. The British army had more casualties due to heatstroke than enemy action. The 1st Battalion Scots Guards gained the battle honours 'Tel-el-Kebir' and 'Egypt 1882' for their part in the Egyptian Expedition. It was the last time the regiment carried the Colours into battle.
Sold with copy Medal Roll confirming clasp.
(180-220 GBP)
A 25,000 strong British force, under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley, landed in Egypt in August 1882, and on the 13th September, the decisive engagement of the campaign occurred, with the Battle of Tel el-Kebir, At 5.45 a.m. Wolseley's troops were six hundred yards from the entrenchments and dawn was just breaking, when Egyptian sentries saw them and fired. The first shots were followed by multiple volleys from the entrenchments and by the artillery. British troops, led by the Highland Brigade on the left flank, and the 2nd Brigade on the right flank with the Guards Brigade (commanded by Queen Victoria's third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn) in support, charged with the bayonet.
The British advance was shielded from view by the smoke from the Egyptian artillery and rifles. Arriving in the trenches at the same time, all along the line, the resulting battle was over within an hour. Most of the Egyptian soldiers were tired from having stood to all night. Because of the haste with which Urabi's forces had prepared their defences, there were no obstacles in front of them to disrupt the attackers. Several groups stood and fought, mainly the Sudanese troops in the front of the Highland Brigade, but those not overwhelmed in the first rush were forced to retreat. In the end, it was less a battle than a massacre. Official British figures gave a total of 57 British troops killed. Approximately two thousand Egyptians died. The British army had more casualties due to heatstroke than enemy action. The 1st Battalion Scots Guards gained the battle honours 'Tel-el-Kebir' and 'Egypt 1882' for their part in the Egyptian Expedition. It was the last time the regiment carried the Colours into battle.
Sold with copy Medal Roll confirming clasp.
(180-220 GBP)